The cropping pattern for 2013 provides for an increase in the grain acreage, in particular, the expansion of areas under wheat. At the same time, high-reproduction winter crop seeds will help to increase the production of some crops by 20-30%.

This was stated by Oleksandr Demydov, director of the agriculture ministry's crop-growing department, during the annual summarizing board meeting, the press service of the ministry reported.

"If we take the predicted structure of crops for 2013, it is planned to increase the grain acreage. Thus, according to the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, winter crops for grain of the 2013 harvest were planted on the area of 8.1 million hectares, including wheat on 6.7 million hectares, barley on 1.1 million hectares and rye on 304 thousand hectares. The condition of winter grain crops is better than the average annual performance over the past 10 years, which gives reason to hope for their successful overwintering and preservation during the resumption of the spring growing season," the official said.

Farmers are also increasing, he said, areas under corn for grain, which has now become one of the major export crops. In addition, there will be an increase in the areas under rape. Areas under barley, buckwheat, sugar beets, soybeans, potatoes and vegetables will remain at the 2012 level.

Ukrinform