KYIV, UKRAINE — The 2020 grain harvest is underway in southern Ukraine, with farmers supplying barley for railcars destined for sea ports for export, according to Reuters.

The announcement comes after analysts earlier this month said Ukraine was likely to start its 2020 winter grain harvest 8 to 10 days earlier than normal.

Reuters noted that the Ukrainian government has said unfavorable weather this year could contribute to a reduction in the country’s grain crop, to 65 million to 68 million tonnes, down from a record 75 million tonnes in 2019.