Due to the abnormal drought, NIBULON has started harvesting sunflower almost simultaneously in three climatic zones, namely in Mykolaiv, Cherkasy, and Zhytomyr regions. Although the harvesting volumes are almost synchronized, the yield differs by almost twofold, increasing from the south to the north.

Fortunately, in Mykolaiv region, sunflower was not the primary crop but was rather used as an insurance crop in fields where rapeseed had failed over the winter. Thus, due to the small amount of sunflower in the south, the weather anomaly did not significantly affect production efficiency. Meanwhile, in Cherkasy cluster, sunflower yields are slightly below the target, while in Zhytomyr region, there are conditions to reach the planned figures.

In addition, NIBULON’s production unit has started harvesting corn in Cherkasy region. The yield is 20% below the target but with almost standard moisture levels. The start of corn harvesting in Kamianets-Podilskyi cluster is scheduled for early September, while corn and soybean harvesting in Vinnytsia and central Zhytomyr regions will not begin for another three to four weeks, as these crops are still green and continue to grow.

According to Oleg Veselov, Director of Agricultural Production, despite adverse weather and yield shortfalls, the company will still make a profit thanks to significant efforts to optimize technological processes and reduce direct costs. This set of measures has helped reduce production costs and the use of resources. Next season, the company plans to further reduce costs per unit area and increase the use of technologies that save moisture.

It is worth noting that this year, the company sowed 9,000 hectares of sunflower, 24,000 hectares of corn, and 5,000 hectares of soybeans. In total, 38,000 hectares were sown with spring crops, which is 10,000 hectares more than last year.