Ukraine Begins Grain Harvest for 2023

Local officials reported that farmers in the Odesa region of southern Ukraine have begun harvesting the 2023 grain crop, starting with the first harvest of winter barley. Ukraine is one of the largest grain producers and exporters in the world, but production is expected to decline this year due to the Russian invasion to around 45 million tons, down from 53 million tons in 2022. The Ministry of Agriculture stated last week that the spring planting process for 2023 has almost been completed in Ukraine, covering approximately 32 million acres. The total area planted as of June 16 included 669,903 acres of spring wheat, nearly 2 million acres of barley, 342,241 acres of peas, 361,268 acres of oats, and 9.9 million acres of corn.