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  • 16 June 2025
  • Joint Research Centre
  • 2 min read

Average yield outlook for winter crops, despite strong rainfall deficit in the east

According to the June 2025  JRC MARS Bulletin – Global Outlook on Ukraine,  persistent dryness in the east negatively affected winter cereals, while late spring cold spells in the west reduced the yield expectations for rapeseed.

Ukraine June 2025
Winter cereals reached the final phenological stages, by J. Luque Reyes

Winter and spring 2025 brought mixed conditions across Ukraine, with persistent dryness in the eastern and northernmost oblasts adversely affecting winter cereals. Two late spring cold spells also impacted rapeseed in the west during the flowering and early pod development stages, reducing its yield potential. Nevertheless, most other regions experienced predominantly seasonal conditions, supporting above-average yields for winter crops.

Despite favourable weather conditions in May, with timely rainfall and colder-than-usual temperatures supporting final crop development stages, the overall production outlook for winter cereals is below the five-year average. This is due to earlier stress periods and regional disparities, and to the below-average sown areas. In contrast, rapeseed production is expected to rise, thanks to an increase in sown area, particularly in the southern oblasts.

Remote-sensing data confirms a relatively stable area of winter cereals in the government-controlled territories compared with the previous season, while field abandonment persists in the southeast because of the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine. The sowing campaign for summer crops is nearing completion, with reduced grain maize and sunflowers production areas, against an expansion in soybean plantings. Early development of summer crops is proceeding fairly well overall, with adequate water supply in the west, though persistent dryness continues to pose a risk in the east.

Yield forecasts for both winter and spring crops show considerable interregional variability, with most expectations hovering slightly below the five-year average at country level.   

Further agricultural information

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JRC MARS (Monitoring Agricultural Resources) Bulletins

For comprehensive agricultural insights for Europe, explore the JRC AGRI4CAST website, which offers a wealth of information, tools, data and tutorials, including:

  • JRC MARS Bulletins: Receive monthly analyses on crop growth conditions and yield forecasts for the EU and neighbouring countries.
  • JRC MARS Explorer: Access over 2000 high-resolution maps and graphs detailing recent weather conditions and crop-growth progress.
  • AGRI4CAST Resources Portal: Utilise freely available datasets and software developed by AGRI4CAST for public use.
  • Crop Forecasting Videos: Engage with an educational collection of videos that provide an overview of crop monitoring and yield forecasting activities.

For global agricultural insights, visit the JRC’s ASAP (Anomaly Hotspots of Agricultural Production) website to access the latest information on global agricultural production hotspots in countries at risk of food insecurity.

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Details

Publication date
16 June 2025
Author
Joint Research Centre
JRC portfolios 2025-27

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