In 2026, farmers in the Volyn region plan to sow 120 thousand hectares with spring grain and leguminous crops. The largest share of the sown area, according to the Department of Agroindustrial Development of the Volyn Oblast, will be allocated to corn — 65 thousand hectares, reports agronews.ua.

The distribution of areas for industrial crops also involves significant changes. Thus, 77 thousand hectares are planned to be allocated for soybeans, and 28 thousand hectares for sunflowers. The area for sugar beets will increase to 9 thousand hectares this year due to the expansion of processing capacities, while in 2025 it was 8 thousand hectares.

Director of the Department of Agro-Industrial Development of the Volyn Regional State Administrative Organization Yuriy Yurchenko noted that despite some shifts in the calendar schedule due to weather conditions, the sowing started successfully. “Farmers are ready to work more intensively to complete sowing in optimal agrotechnical terms,” he emphasized.

The department also emphasized that the region is fully provided with seed material and fertilizers. This allows farmers to quickly expand the front of field work, especially against the background of the gradual withdrawal of meltwater and warming of the soil.

According to experts, the increase in corn areas is due to the growth of demand for grain crops and the prospects for its processing into compound feed and biofuel. Such trends stimulate farmers to optimize the crop structure and increase the yield of key crops.

Expanding the area for industrial crops and strategic grains will allow Volyn to strengthen its contribution to the national production of agricultural products, support the domestic market, and ensure the country's export potential in the face of growing demand for food and processing crops.