Ukrainian Farmers Battle Drought as Winter Grain Sowing Begins

Lack of soil moisture threatens 2025 harvest prospects, despite hopes for favorable weather later in the season

Ukrainian farmers have begun the crucial task of planting winter grains for the 2025 harvest, but their efforts are being hampered by widespread drought conditions, according to a report by Reuters. State weather forecasters have warned that soil moisture levels are critically low across most of the country, raising concerns about the viability of newly sown crops.

While Ukraine has faced autumn sowing droughts in recent years, the severity of the current situation is particularly alarming. A scorching July heatwave, followed by a persistent lack of rainfall throughout August, has intensified soil and atmospheric drought across vast swaths of the country, impacting nearly 70% of agricultural land.

Despite these challenges, Ukrainian farmers remain hopeful that a wet and mild winter, combined with favorable spring weather, will salvage the 2025 harvest. The success of winter wheat, which constitutes the lion's share of Ukraine's total wheat production, hinges on these weather conditions.

As of early September, farmers have managed to plant a mere 27,700 hectares of winter wheat, a tiny fraction of the total area expected to be sown. The pressure is on to expand plantings significantly in the coming weeks as the optimal sowing window narrows.

This year’s drought compounds the challenges facing Ukrainian agriculture, already grappling with the ongoing disruptions caused by the Russian invasion. The conflict has led to logistical bottlenecks, labor shortages, and increased production costs, forcing many farmers to operate on razor-thin margins.

The outcome of the 2025 winter grain harvest holds significant implications not only for Ukraine's food security but also for global grain markets. Ukraine, often referred to as the "breadbasket of Europe," is a major exporter of wheat, corn, and barley, and any production shortfalls could reverberate across global supply chains.