The Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine has announced an improved harvest forecast for 2023 due to favorable weather conditions. Minister Mykola Solsky said this during a telethon.

"We have adjusted the harvest forecast for this year compared to last year... by 10% in general. But this year's weather has been quite good so far. And we have already improved this forecast for the better. Preliminary, we expect a 6% decline compared to last year. However, there are still a few months ahead, so the forecast may change," the minister said.

The initial forecast was based on logistical problems associated with a change in the structure of sown areas in favor of more expensive but lower yielding crops, such as soybeans or sunflower instead of corn, as well as reduced investment in land.

Solsky noted that the harvesting of rapeseed, barley and wheat has been going on for several weeks.

"We expect rapeseed to be about the same as last year, maybe a little more. Barley will be 15-20% less due to a decrease in acreage. And wheat will also be less due to lower plantings. We hope to compensate for this with the next spring crops in the fall, but we cannot predict this for sure yet," the Minister added.

According to the forecast of the Ukrainian Grain Association, the harvest of grains and oilseeds in Ukraine in 2023 will amount to 68 million tons, which is 5.3 million tons less than in 2022 and 36% less than in the pre-war year 2021 (106 million tons).

The drop in harvest volume is due to the occupation of part of Ukraine's territory, mining, hostilities, and lack of funds and other resources for farmers to conduct a full sowing campaign and grow crops.