Agriculture in Ukraine - statistics & facts
Ukraine continues to be a crucial agri-food supplier after February 2022, when the Russia-Ukraine war began and disrupted agricultural commodities' production and supply chains. In the marketing year 2023/24, it was the leading exporter of sunflower oil and the fourth-major exporter of corn. Countries in Africa and the Middle East are particularly dependent on its grain exports. For instance, Ukraine accounted for roughly two-thirds of wheat imports in Somalia and one-fifth in Egypt.
After the Black Sea Grain Initiative was suspended by the Russian government in July 2023, Ukraine has shipped agri-foods via other routes, including Danube River and Black Sea ports. The European Union (EU) countries introduced duty-free imports of Ukraine's agri-foods to support its economy; however, as these goods often had a lower price than domestic products, several EU member states saw farmer protests, such as Poland and Romania. Thus, the European Commission imposed an emergency brake, or a cap, on Ukrainian oats, eggs, poultry, and sugar. Ukraine's sugar exports grew by roughly 913 percent in monetary terms in 2022.
Ukraine's honey production volume was the eighth-largest worldwide, having exceeded 63,000 metric tons in 2022. Moreover, the country led the ranking of honey exporters in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) with approximately 138 million U.S. dollars. The main export destinations of Ukrainian honey were Germany, Poland, and France.
As the war in Ukraine continues, disruptions to exports, reduced domestic demand, lower production output, and growing domestic prices make the industry less profitable.
The war impact on agriculture in Ukraine
The war damage to Ukrainian agriculture was estimated at 10 billion U.S. dollars as of December 2023. However, the total losses were five times as high, including direct losses, such as those in agricultural machinery and crops, and indirect losses from a decline in production output and prices. More than 56 billion U.S. dollars were estimated to be needed for the sector's recovery from 2024 to 2033.After the Black Sea Grain Initiative was suspended by the Russian government in July 2023, Ukraine has shipped agri-foods via other routes, including Danube River and Black Sea ports. The European Union (EU) countries introduced duty-free imports of Ukraine's agri-foods to support its economy; however, as these goods often had a lower price than domestic products, several EU member states saw farmer protests, such as Poland and Romania. Thus, the European Commission imposed an emergency brake, or a cap, on Ukrainian oats, eggs, poultry, and sugar. Ukraine's sugar exports grew by roughly 913 percent in monetary terms in 2022.
Ukraine's cereal exports
One of the largest grain markets, Ukraine is expected to see a decrease in exports of wheat, corn, and barley as a result of the lower production and stocks due to the war. For example, wheat, flour, and wheat product shipments are forecast to decline by 20 percent in the marketing year 2024/25.Livestock and beekeeping
Ukraine is among the main exporters of broiler meat worldwide and one of the leading chicken egg producers in Europe. Meat production in the country, which was dominated by poultry, decreased during the war due to lower consumer demand and infrastructure damage. Furthermore, the milk production output fell by 11 percent from the previous year.Ukraine's honey production volume was the eighth-largest worldwide, having exceeded 63,000 metric tons in 2022. Moreover, the country led the ranking of honey exporters in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) with approximately 138 million U.S. dollars. The main export destinations of Ukrainian honey were Germany, Poland, and France.
As the war in Ukraine continues, disruptions to exports, reduced domestic demand, lower production output, and growing domestic prices make the industry less profitable.
