* Ukraine forecast for winter wheat area has been increased by 9%, says deputy economy minister * Revision follows drought that hit corn and sunflower crops * Winter wheat is more resilient in extreme weather conditions By Pavel Polityuk KYIV, Oct 1 (Reuters) – Ukraine's economy ministry has increased its projection for the country's winter wheat sowing area by 9%, the deputy economy minister says, improving prospects for a boost to exports needed to help fund its defence against Russian forces. The sowing area for the 2026 winter wheat harvest is now expected to be at least 5.2 million hectares, up from a previous estimate in line with 2025 at 4.78 million hectares, Taras Vysotskiy told Reuters on Wednesday. The increase comes at the expense of corn and sunflower crops that were hit by dr

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