Due to worsening of weather conditions, the rates of sowing of spring grain crops again slowed down in Ukraine, the press service of the consulting agency "UkrAgroConsult".

On April 18, agrarians sowed early grains and legumes 2.23 million hectares, which is 3.5% less than the same date last year.

In particular, barley sowing lags behind by 13% compared to 2016. So, as of today, 1.51 million hectares have been sown against 1.73 million hectares in 2016. Spring wheat sown for 155 thousand hectares against 156 thousand hectares in 2016. The greatest fears of experts cause corn sowing.

As of April 18, corn in Ukraine was sown with 341 thousand hectares, which is more than two and a half times behind last year's figure (907 thousand hectares).

"Deteriorating weather conditions can lead to the fact that the plans of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy (4.5 million hectares) can not be fulfilled in full," the message says.. At the same time, analysts noted that the sown area under peas in Ukraine significantly exceeds last year's - by 71% - and is 372 thousand hectares.