Ukraine is lagging behind in the sowing rate of winter wheat due to weather conditions, but the forecast of 4.5 to 5 million hectares of production area remains relevant, First Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Taras Vysotsky said on the air of the single national telethon.

"In fact, wheat sowing is underway now. It is not yet actively underway, because in most regions of Ukraine there is drought, lack of moisture in the soil. We are only at the start of the sowing campaign in terms of volumes. At the same time, in the western regions, in Odesa region, there was precipitation and favorable conditions are being created for sowing winter crops, including wheat," he said.

Vysotsky said winter wheat can be sown in optimal windows until the middle of October, and in some regions until the end of October. Accordingly, farmers still have time for sowing.

"Considering weather factors, plans for sowing winter wheat have not been reduced today. The range from 4.5 million hectares to 5 million hectares remains relevant. Everything will depend on weather factors from now on. We hope that in the second half of September and October the weather will allow these plans to be implemented," the first deputy minister of agrarian policy said.