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Only around half of the planned spring grain area in Ukraine has been sown to date, well behind planting progress of a year ago, according to the Ag Ministry.

Spring wheat and barley are around 86% planted, although other crops like sunflower are only just beginning to get sown, they say.

"Sunflower drilling has got underway this weekend with drills working away all over the place," says Nogger's Ukraine agronomist Mike Lee. "Soya will follow on as it's less frost hardy than sunflowers, and local knowledge suggest late frosts are still a possibility for another week or so. Ditto maize," he adds.

"In Ukraine, the rape is picking up a bit with sun and fertiliser, but I think it's true to say it's not going to be a bumper harvest this year," he predicts.

"Wheat looks good at the moment," he adds.