Full explanation
BEY is used for: (1) crop-planting decisions — if forecast yield <1.2× BEY, the crop is economically fragile; (2) loan negotiations; (3) choosing insurance deductibles; (4) forward-contract hedging — locking at BEY × 1.2 provides a reasonable buffer. Typical 2026 BEY in Ukraine: winter wheat 3.8–4.2 t/ha, maize 7.0–8.2 t/ha, sunflower 2.1–2.5 t/ha, soybean 2.3–2.7 t/ha, rapeseed 2.6–3.0 t/ha. Key sensitivities: each −5% in price = +5% to BEY, each +10% in cost = +10% to BEY. Farmers with BEY <80% of their historical average yield have a safe operating margin. With BEY >95%, they are either under-funded or carrying excessive costs. Under Ukraine's 5-7-9 state support programme, BEY is the basis for calculating expected margin on loan decisions.