In Ukraine, the agricultural sector finds itself in a worse situation than it was in 2022
The Ukrainian agricultural sector is experiencing a serious economic crisis. According to Minister of Agrarian Policy Taras Vysotsky, the current situation is worse than it was in March–April 2022.
At the start of the full-scale war, farmers had significant stockpiles and a financial cushion following a profitable 2021. At that time, the agricultural sector’s reserves were estimated at approximately $10 billion.
In contrast, in 2025–2026, many enterprises operated with minimal profits or were essentially struggling to survive. As a result, they were unable to build up the necessary financial reserves.
Additional challenges included export difficulties due to the blockade of the Greater Odesa ports, fuel shortages and rising fuel prices, a labor shortage, and difficulties with booking.
Farmers are already preparing for the fall planting season, but they are forced to do so amid a significant shortage of financial resources.
Source: Taras Vysotsky.
As a reminder, Ukraine increased its trade in agricultural products with the EU by 11%.
The All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council (VAR) has appealed to Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky, urging him to take immediate measures to resolve the issue of the blockade of seaports. The association warns that a further deterioration of the situation could lead to mass bankruptcies of agricultural enterprises and a large-scale crisis in one of the key sectors of the Ukrainian economy.
