According to statistics presented in a number of agricultural business reviews, 2015 is likely to be a record year for Ukrainian farmers in terms of the volume of harvested crops. A look back into 2014 already reveals an agricultural boom that seems to defy the overall economic slump: 63.8 million tons of grains, beans and pulses were harvested in Ukraine, which is 2.4% more than the previous year. Exports amounted to 34.6 million tons, which is also unprecedented.
This year in Kharkiv region, the dry and hot weather that has been aggravating residents and creating ready ground for domestic and forest fires, has also contributed to a very healthy crop of grain cultures, including wheat. 1.741.000 hectares of arable land have been planted with the crop, which is 0.8% more than in 2014. Grains and pulses are being raised on 1.074.000 hectares of land – a rise in 7.4%, while the area for technical crops has slightly shrunk. The biggest growth is in the area for food grains, which was expanded by 33%.
The data speaks in support of future positive trends in Ukrainian agriculture and food processing industries, and strengthens food security – a fact important to Kharkiv region in the face of its significant population of internally displaced persons.
