Prolonged lack of rain threatens Ukraine’s crops, scientists say

In Ukraine, The Straits Times reported that Ukraine is experiencing the lowest soil moisture levels of the last seven seasons, raising concerns about yields in 2025.

“The total amount of precipitation for November-January was only 79.6 mm and was significantly inferior to the long-term average of 117 mm,” according to the Ukrainian national agricultural academy.

“For the last 7 years such provision of winter crops with atmospheric moisture was observed for the first time,” it added.

Scientists said the insufficient amount of precipitation during most of the winter period and very low reserves of moisture in the soil “cause special concern for grain producers.”

Ukraine’s state weather forecasters said in October that most of Ukraine’s winter crop was under threat as almost all seedlings were underdeveloped, according to the report.

Farmers sowed 5.24 million hectares of winter grain for the 2025 harvest and wheat dominates the area. Winter wheat accounts for about 95% of all Ukrainian wheat, it added.

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