As experts note, despite some difficulties, it can be said that agricultural producers are generally ready for spring sowing.
According to a number of forecasts, spring sowing may begin earlier than usual this year. This is largely due to the low-snow winter that occurred in many regions of the Russian Federation.
One of the possible difficulties that farmers will have to face in the season that has begun may be seeds.
For example, due to quotas for the supply of rapeseed seeds from abroad, some companies report that they will most likely not be able to receive the required batch on time.
Similar problems are experienced by those farmers who grow peas.
Some varieties are not available even from importers, so they have to urgently look for alternative options and switch, including to Russian-made products.
As for sugar beet producers, it is noted that for the most part, everything is fine with their seed reserves.
However, there are some concerns: today, we mainly have to sow domestic varieties, while companies are accustomed to imported ones, in connection with which there are worries about whether the new varieties will show themselves worse than their analogues, and whether the yield will decrease.
Experts note that, although domestically produced sugar beet seeds are generally competitive, the sugar content in the root crop is lower, as is its resistance to diseases and heat.
For this reason, it is obvious that breeders still need to work on their products.
Another problem for some companies was the limited availability of preferential loans, since they opened only on February 1, that is, literally on the eve of sowing.
Now many companies need to almost urgently receive offers from banks, choose the most attractive one and apply for a loan in order to buy the missing seeds, fertilizers, equipment and everything else that may be needed during sowing.
It is noted that the rate on the preferential loan has also increased from 5% to 8%, which reduces the range of opportunities for farmers to use loans.
Finally, experts note that this year the cost of the sowing campaign will most likely be higher than in previous seasons.
Mainly, the costs of seeds and wages for workers will increase. Tariffs for railway transportation of agricultural products have also increased.
At the same time, the cost of mineral fertilizers has generally remained at the same level, analysts note.
