According to Mr Vysotsky, the harvest may be even smaller, about 60 million tons of grain.
He explained that the decline was due to the reduction of cultivated areas by a quarter (part of the territories where agricultural fields are located is under control of Russian troops).
However, the official does not lose optimism. He noted that 10 years ago Ukraine harvested about 40-45 million tons of grain, which was generally enough for the use of the population and export. But at the moment there are no exact reports about how much grain will be harvested because it is influenced by different factors – weather, war, crop failure. In any case, it will be possible to ensure the consumption within the country, so there is no threat to the food security of Ukraine.
- Earlier, the Ukrainian media reported that Russia stole about 500 thousand tons of grain from the occupied territories, but later this statement was refuted. Today, there is a different trend.Russia has opened its borders for the harvest gathered in the territories under its control and sends it to buyers from Crimea and other regions.
In 2021, the record harvest of Ukraine was set for the entire existence of Ukraine. It was 106 million tons, of which 84 million tons were leguminous crops, 22.6 million tons were oilseeds.
- According to Ukrainian specialists, the record harvest was the result of good weather conditions, while the agricultural sector in the country suffered significant problems.
The entire harvest of 2021 MY was already exported and used for the needs of the Ukrainian domestic market. At the same time, the Kiev’s Western allies ask for immediate export of Ukrainian grain from the blockaded sea ports.
- This is grain from Ukrainian strategic reserves in the amount of at least four months of wheat consumption by the domestic Ukrainian market.
In the context of the impending global food crisis provoked by the Western sanctions against Russia and disruption of supply chains, the United States and European countries are aiming to replenish their reserves, thanks to the crops taken from the Ukrainian people.
Source: SOUTHFRONT