Introduction
The end of the field season for every farmer is a kind of final exam that demonstrates how sound the technological decisions made throughout the year have been. It is during the harvesting stage that it becomes clear whether the crop potential has been realized, whether fertilizers and crop protection products performed effectively, and whether crop rotation was carried out in a timely manner.
For Dnipro Agro Group, one of Ukraine’s leading agricultural companies, the completion of sunflower harvesting in the Dnipropetrovsk cluster is of strategic importance. Sunflower is one of the key oilseed crops, generating a significant share of farm revenues and supplying Ukraine’s agricultural sector with high-quality products for both domestic and international markets.
In 2025, the sunflower harvesting campaign took place under challenging conditions. The season was marked by intense heat and drought, as well as rainfall during the harvesting period, which affected plant development and yield formation. Nevertheless, thanks to the many years of experience of the agronomy team, the application of modern farming technologies, and the coordinated work of all departments, the harvest results remained stable.
Thus, summarizing this year’s harvesting campaign is not merely a statistical exercise. It is also an opportunity to assess the effectiveness of management decisions and agrotechnological approaches, as well as to forecast the potential yield for the next season.
Sunflower Harvesting Area
For Dnipro Agro Group farms in the Dnipropetrovsk cluster, sunflower is not just one of the crops in the rotation system, but a strategic asset. In 2025, 13,121.9 hectares were allocated to this crop. This figure is not accidental: the company’s agronomic service carefully analyzes the market, soil conditions, potential yields, and sales prospects.
Compared to the previous year, sunflower sowing areas increased by 468.9 hectares. This decision was driven by several factors. Firstly, the company aims to maintain an optimal crop rotation system to prevent soil depletion and avoid the accumulation of diseases. Secondly, the adjustment of acreage is linked to oilseed market conditions, as sunflower prices directly influence production profitability.
Within the Dnipropetrovsk cluster, sunflower accounts for 50.8% of total sowing areas. This balance allows the company to combine production efficiency with economic stability. Excessive concentration on a single crop may create risks, while proper diversification ensures sustainable development.
Average Yield
One of the key indicators of a successful field season is yield. In 2025, the average yield in the Dnipropetrovsk cluster reached 1.149 t/ha (11.49 centners per hectare). This exceeds the regional average and demonstrates the competitiveness of the company’s farms.
Compared to the previous year, yield decreased by 0.8 t/ha (8 centners per hectare). Weather conditions played a significant role in this decline. Insufficient rainfall during the grain-filling period contributed to the formation of underdeveloped heads. Additionally, certain areas within the cluster experienced localized drought, resulting in somewhat lower yields in specific fields.
Selection also played an important role. The farms planted modern sunflower hybrids resistant to drought and diseases. Their genetic potential made it possible to achieve strong results even under less-than-ideal conditions. Notably, the highest yield was recorded at Invest Agro, where the average reached 1.931 t/ha (19.31 centners per hectare).
Such results confirm that investing in advanced technologies and agronomic expertise is justified. Even under unstable climatic conditions, the company managed to maintain a stable level of production.
Total Gross Harvest
The total gross sunflower harvest in the Dnipropetrovsk cluster in 2025 amounted to 14,968.49 tonnes, including 2,984.21 tonnes of high-oleic sunflower. This figure reflects the combined effect of acreage and average yield, demonstrating the cluster’s real contribution to the company’s overall production program.
This harvest will serve as a raw material base for oil extraction plants, export contracts, and domestic market sales. Thanks to the high quality of the seeds, the company can expect favorable cooperation terms with its partners.
Moreover, the overall result enables the company to plan future investments, including fleet modernization, the implementation of new technologies, and the expansion of export opportunities. Gross harvest figures are not just numbers — they represent the economic foundation for the next agricultural season.
Applied Technologies and Success Factors
Successful sunflower harvesting is never accidental. It is always the result of systematic work, where every stage of the production cycle matters. In 2025, Dnipro Agro Group farms in the Dnipropetrovsk cluster applied a comprehensive set of modern agrotechnologies that ensured comparatively high results.
Firstly, the company actively uses a precision farming system. This enables soil analysis, moisture monitoring, and fertilizer application planning based on the specific needs of each field. Such an approach not only increases yields but also optimizes costs, which is particularly important amid rising input prices.
Secondly, modern sunflower hybrids adapted to the climatic conditions of the Dnipropetrovsk region were used in production. These hybrids are resistant to major diseases such as Phoma, Phomopsis, and downy mildew, and they also demonstrate drought tolerance.
Thirdly, considerable attention was paid to plant protection. Timely application of herbicides and fungicides protected crops from weeds and diseases, while insecticide treatments minimized pest damage.
Equally important was the role of machinery. Thanks to modern combines, harvesting was carried out quickly and with minimal losses. This helped prevent grain losses and maintain seed quality.
In summary, the combination of these factors enabled the farms to achieve solid production results.