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LLC “SP “Nibulon” is shifting its focus in southern Ukraine to predominantly cultivate winter rapeseed and durum wheat, prompted by evolving climatic conditions and diminishing profitability of certain crops, as stated by the company’s agricultural director, Oleg Veselov, in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.
“While experimentation with various crops is feasible in western and central Ukraine, our options in the south are significantly constrained by the climate. As an export-oriented entity, we will continue to prioritize grains and rapeseed. The sole alteration we are implementing in the south presently is the transition from soft wheat varieties to durum wheat,” he remarked.
Veselov elaborated that a batch of durum wheat, approximately 10,000 tons, has already been harvested this year, and exclusively durum wheat varieties will be sown in the south for the upcoming year.
According to him, the crop ratio of rapeseed to wheat in Nibulon’s Mykolaiv cluster stands at roughly 1:1. This year’s wheat yield averages around 4 tons per hectare, with rapeseed yielding 2 tons per hectare, resulting in a revenue of approximately $200 per hectare for each crop.
“Farmers in the south are actively experimenting, seeking alternatives to sunflowers, as sunflowers have resulted in losses in previous seasons in southern Ukraine. Consequently, many are now planting flax, peas, chickpeas, lentils, and coriander. We are also considering such options. This year, we have resumed sorghum cultivation, sowing 700 hectares. We will observe the outcomes,” he noted.
Veselov identified the primary challenges in operating in the south as the necessity for land demining and the threat of drone attacks. Nibulon’s southern cluster encompasses 18,000 hectares, of which 7,500 hectares were affected by combat operations. The company undertook demining efforts independently, and the current season marks the second consecutive year of harvesting on these fields.
“Fortunately, there have been no current losses. During this harvest campaign, we encountered nearly a dozen ‘fresh’ drones within the fields. Therefore, harvesting had to be conducted with extreme caution: only during daylight, when visibility is adequate, and at minimal speed,” Veselov reported.
He indicated that the adversary continues to launch drone attacks, particularly targeting fuel depots. Nevertheless, Nibulon managed to swiftly harvest the crops on the critical 7,500 hectares. “We were fortunate; nothing caught fire, although our neighbors experienced blazes,” he described the situation.
Veselov added that approximately 100 hectares of the company’s land in the south remain uncultivated due to extensive mine contamination. The cost of demining this area is prohibitive, and a viable mechanism for its reclamation for cultivation has yet to be determined.
Prior to the war, LLC “SP “Nibulon” cultivated 82,000 hectares across 12 regions of Ukraine and exported agricultural products to over 70 countries worldwide. In 2021, the grain trader exported a record 5.64 million tons of agricultural products. Following the onset of the war, the company was compelled to relocate its central office from Mykolaiv to Kyiv. Currently, “Nibulon” cultivates 52,000 hectares across four clusters. In addition to 23 elevator complexes, “Nibulon” possesses its own road transport and railway infrastructure, as well as a fleet built at its own shipbuilding yard. During wartime, this fleet continues to facilitate river transportation.
The company is also actively developing its in-house humanitarian demining unit to restore safety on leased lands and support Ukraine’s agricultural sector. It holds certification as an operator for mine action.