Over the last seven seasons, Ukraine has encountered the lowest soil moisture level, which creates serious risks to the 2025 harvest. According to Reuters, only 79.6 mm of precipitation fell during November-Sich, while the average perennial is 117 mm.
Due to the lack of precipitation, most Ukrainian fields remained without moistening during autumn sowing. Farmers, forced to plant seeds in dry soil, had high hopes for winter snow, which should replenish the moisture. However, these expectations did not come true.
Particularly alarming is the fact that the low supply of winter crops is fixed by moisture for the first time in the last seven years. This can adversely affect the yield of primary cereals such as wheat and barley.
According to state forecasters, most of the winter crops sown in 2024 are in critical condition. Almost all stairs are underdeveloped, which jeopardizes their survival and development in the spring.
Analysts also warn that shortage of winter precipitation can lead to a decrease in yields and, therefore, significant economic losses for the agricultural sector of Ukraine.
Ukraine is one of the world's leading grain exporters, and a potential reduction in the crop can have global consequences. The situation puts farmers in the face of a difficult choice: whether it is worth investing in spring sowing under such adverse conditions.
If the weather conditions do not improve in the near future, the government, farmers and international partners will have to look for decisions to minimize the impact of the country's food safety and its role in the world market.
