In 2021, the average monthly revenue from the sale of products by agricultural producers was $1.71 billion. Since the outbreak of full-scale war, revenues have decreased to an average of $950 million per month, primarily due to the blockade of seaports.
Thus, each month agrarians are missing at least $760 million in revenues, the annual equivalent of $9.1 billion, ProAgro Group reported, citing information from the Ukrainian Agrarian Business Club.
“Unlocking and establishing exports through Ukraine’s seaports is one of the main tools to solve the situation for the agricultural sector. However, it is obvious that it will take some time to restore and achieve significant volumes of exports through the ports of Odessa region. In addition, further attacks from Russia, disruption of the deal and re-blockade of the ports cannot be ruled out,” said Roman Slasten, Director General of UCAB.
At the same time, farmers have already begun preparations for sowing winter crops: active sowing of rapeseed will start in a week, wheat and other grains in a month. To buy materials and carry out sowing work we need money which we do not have yet.
According to Roman Slasten, in this situation, there is hope that the government with the help of international partners will find opportunities for the implementation of the funding program through the mechanism of bank lending and other financial instruments.
