Sunflower Harvest Extends into December: Why Productivity Is the Lowest in Four Years

Harvest delays caused by the war and adverse weather conditions

As of early December 2025, Ukraine has harvested about 92.6% of sunflower areas, yet a significant share of crops remains uncollected. The main reasons are military risks in frontline regions—including shelling, drone attacks, and mined fields—which severely restrict harvesting operations.

Another critical factor was excessive rainfall in October–November, especially in central and northern regions. Heavy soils and waterlogged fields prevented machinery from operating on time, leading to harvest delays and quality deterioration.

Lowest Yield in Four Years

Despite an expansion of sunflower planting areas to over 5.22 million hectares, the average yield dropped to 1.88 t/ha, down nearly 14% year-on-year. This is the weakest performance since 2022.

In addition, oil content in sunflower seeds declined due to combined stress from heat waves, heavy rains, pests, and diseases.

Impact of Climate and War

The 2025 season was marked by extreme weather fluctuations and ongoing war-related challenges. In some regions, up to 30% of crops were damaged by pests, while harvesting was postponed or halted entirely because of security threats.

Profitability Under Pressure

Although sunflower production may remain profitable, production costs continue to rise sharply. Expenses per hectare are estimated to increase by nearly 30%, while cost per ton has jumped by more than 40% compared to last season.

Outlook for 2026

Experts expect sunflower planting areas in 2026 to remain close to 5.1 million hectares. Expansion is most likely in western regions and among large agricultural holdings with their own processing facilities and safer logistics.

---