The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry said the average crop per hectare this year is by about 30% lower than the projections owing to the drought of April – June, IPN reports.

According to the data provided by the Institute of Field Crop Research “Selectia”, the lower harvest is due to the decrease in the weight of 1,000 grains from 40 to 35 grams among the national sorts and from 43 to 35 grans among the Ukrainian sorts (Odessa). In percentage, this is a 17-20% decrease.

As the average harvest is projected to be 2.5 tonnes per ha and the areas sowed with winter wheat total 340,000 ha, the production this year will represent about 850,000 tonnes. This is close to the average for the last five agricultural years and by about 250,000 tonnes less than in 2014.

When there is drought and the volumes decrease, the quality of products increases. The wheat harvest will come to 550,000 – 600,000 tonnes at a time when the country’s food security is ensured by 350,000 tonnes.