FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 09/98 - THE UKRAINE (3 September)
The 1998 spring crops have now, for the most part, been gathered.
Showers in late August came too late to induce a recovery in maize and sunflower crops, stressed by below normal precipitation in July. Delays in maize harvesting were attributed to the reallocation of labour and machinery into more profitable crops and scattered showers. The area planted to cereals – 12.8 million hectares - was marginally above average. Although fertiliser supplies reportedly increased, moisture stress of spring crops and high winter-kill for the 1997/98 winter crop, have led to reduced cereal yields. Total 1998 cereal production is estimated at 29.94 million tonnes, 12 percent down on the 1993-1997 average and well down on last year’s crop of 35.85 million tonnes. Improved wheat quality (and hence value) may partly compensate for the reduced production. The rains provided useful soil moisture for the planting of winter grains, which is underway. Early indications are of a reduction in winter wheat and barley area. Prospects for exports in 1998/99 are unclear in the light of the poor harvest and the possible effects of the rouble crisis and consequent reductions in Russian import demand. Trading volumes have dropped on the main exchanges.
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