Ukraine as of April 23 has sowed 2.6 million hectares with early grain and leguminous crops, or 89% of the target, the Agricultural Policy and Food Ministry has reported.

According to the report, northern and western regions of Ukraine have started an active sowing campaign.

"Today, the weather favors a two-shift spring sowing campaign. The southern regions have already sowed even more than had been planned. Farmers from northern and western regions Ukraine have joined the sowing campaign," reads the report, citing Agricultural Policy and Food Minister Anatoliy Prysiazhniuk.

He added that corn has been sowed on 680,000 hectares, sunflower seeds – on 1.3 million hectares and sugar beets – on 130,000 hectares.

He said that agricultural companies as of April 23, 2013 had raised UAH 5.5 billion in loans for the spring sowing campaign.

"At present, under an order of First Vice Premier Serhiy Arbuzov, there is now more active work with commercial banks to attract the required funds," Prysiazhniuk said.

The ministry said that winter crops in Ukraine are in a good and satisfactory state on 93% of fields.

As reported, this year's spring sowing campaign was delayed due to poor weather.

Earlier the ministry forecasted that areas under spring grains and leguminous crops in Ukraine in 2013 could reach 8.1 million hectares, which is almost 10% down on 2012.

The ministry also expected winter crops one some 500,000 hectares to be reseeded on the sown 8.1 million hectares.