Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 9, Ukraine is projected to record a larger grain harvest in 2025 compared with 2024, with corn emerging as the main grain crop, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture Taras Vysotskyi said during a discussion at the Center for Economic Strategy. Updated estimates put total grain production at around 59 million tons, up from 56 million tons last year.

Harvesting of early grains — wheat and barley — has concluded, yielding results similar to last season. Wheat output reached 22–22.5 million tons, while barley production totalled 5.3 million tons, sufficient to meet domestic demand. The largest share of this year’s harvest is expected from corn, with output projected at about 30 million tons, exceeding last year’s 27 million tons.

Vysotskyi noted: “The corn harvest is actively underway, but we haven’t reached the halfway point yet. This year’s late spring delayed the start of harvesting, and September and October were quite rainy. The main phase of corn collection is still ahead.” He added that corn will be the leading grain in terms of volume, with a year-on-year increase of 3 million tons. He cautioned that the harvest season may extend into December due to unpredictable weather, though overall, conditions point to a strong agricultural season.

For oilseeds, the outlook is less optimistic. Rapeseed production is complete at 3.3 million tons, slightly below last year’s 3.7 million tons. Sunflower output remains stable at 11.5–12 million tons, while soybean production dropped significantly to 5–5.5 million tons, down from 7.2 million tons in 2024. “Soybean acreage decreased this season, while corn acreage expanded — this naturally affected the overall crop structure,” Vysotskyi explained.

Earlier projections had estimated a total grain harvest of around 56 million tons, so the latest figures exceed previous expectations. According to the National Bank of Ukraine, the strong harvest has contributed to improving inflation dynamics, supporting economic stability. The regulator also anticipates further growth in agricultural production in 2026–2027, mainly driven by corn.

Despite better yields, Ukraine’s position in the EU corn market has declined, with its market share falling threefold due to delayed harvesting. Nevertheless, the expanded corn output is expected to reinforce the country’s overall grain production and supply, supporting both domestic consumption and export potential.

Overall, Ukraine’s 2025 grain harvest indicates a robust season, with wheat and barley maintaining stable production, corn showing strong growth, and oilseeds experiencing mixed results. Weather conditions and harvesting progress will remain key factors in final output and export timing.