OREANDA-NEWS. On 08 June 2009 was announced, that ASTARTA had successfully finished the spring sowing campaign in optimal terms, and with significant increase of area under major crops y-o-y. Sugar beet was sowed on area of 35 thousand ha, spring barley - 23 thousand ha, soybeans - 14 thousand ha, corn - 14 thousand ha, and sunflower - 12 thousand ha. Moreover,  winter wheat was sowed on area of 31 thousand ha and winter barley - 2 thousand ha. Compared to the previous year the area under sugar beet increased by 17%, under wheat by 4%, under corn by 26%, and under barley by 5%. The total area of cultivated agricultural land increased y-o-y by around 10% to more than 159 thousand ha.

Spring and winter crops were also properly fertilized and the necessary treatment of the crops with the plant protecting agents is underway. The condition of winter and spring crops is generally good. The Group's agrifirms are preparing for the new harvesting campaign that will start by the end of June -  beginning of July.