Wheat sowing started in the country a few weeks ago. According to a Profarmer forecast, areas will be 13.4 mln hectares, which is only 1% less than the previous season, when the areas reached their highest level since 2014.

Despite the large wheat areas, yield will shrink by 32% versus 2016 to 23.98 mln tons. The El Niño occurrence will definitely affect the forecast.