>
Photo: SuperAgronom.com Harvesting Wheat
The harvest of early grain and leguminous crops has begun in Sumy region. Farms in Romny, Okhtyrka, and Konotop districts were the first to start harvesting.
Overall, in 2026, the region plans to thresh over 201 thousand hectares of early crops. However, the pace of work is hindered by rains and the challenging security situation near the Russian border, reports Suspilne.
In the border communities, agrarians are forced to work under the constant threat of drone attacks. According to farmer Volodymyr Shaforost, tractor drivers, combine operators, and agricultural machinery operators are afraid to go into the fields, and transporters often refuse to enter dangerous territories. This makes it difficult for farms to organize not only the harvesting but also the transportation of the crop.
A further problem is the sharp deterioration of the production economy. Farmers report a significant increase in the cost of fuel and fertilizers, while grain prices continue to fall. According to Shaforost’s assessment, the current price of wheat no longer covers the costs of its cultivation, and intensified attacks on port infrastructure and reduced exports only deepen the pressure on the domestic market.
According to the Sumy Regional Military Administration, about 1 thousand hectares of early grains have already been harvested in the region. The average yield of winter barley and wheat is about 5 tons per hectare, although in some farms, barley yields about 3 tons per hectare. In total, this year it is also planned to harvest about 46 thousand hectares of rapeseed.
Despite the increase in areas under certain early crops, the total cultivated land area in the region has decreased by 60 thousand hectares compared to last year. Currently, over 240 thousand hectares of arable land in Sumy region remain uncultivated due to proximity to the border, shelling, and high risks for workers and equipment.
Download
Olena Basanets, SuperAgronom.com
Be the first to get the latest agronomic news from Ukraine on our Facebook page, Telegram, and subscribe to SuperAgronom’s Instagram.