Ukraine lost quarter of its sown areas due to Russia's invasion, expert says
Photo: The loss of sown areas in Ukraine due to the war is 25% (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Russia's aggression against Ukraine has caused significant losses for farmers. In particular, about a quarter of the sown areas have been lost, says Oleh Khomenko, CEO of the Ukrainian Agrarian Club.
“The World Bank estimates that direct and indirect losses for agriculture during the war years amount to more than $80 billion. This includes infrastructure, production facilities, grain storage assets, etc. We see a significant impact on the railway and port infrastructure. We have also lost about 25% of the sown areas,” he said.
According to him, since last fall, during the period of active exports of Ukrainian grain, the Russians have been trying to prevent this as much as possible by striking at the infrastructure of the Black Sea ports.
“This is our main route through which we export 90% of agricultural products, and a lot depends on its functioning. This is a very sensitive moment. They (the Russians - ed.) know about it, they take advantage of it, and that's why, along with strikes on the energy sector, they also hit the port infrastructure,” said Oleh Khomenko.
These Russian actions, in addition to direct damage, led to an increase in the cost of services of insurance companies that provide maritime transportation.
The war has affected harvest volumes, but farmers have managed to gradually increase grain exports. According to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, the harvest of grains, pulses, and oilseeds in 2022 decreased by 37% to 67.7 million tons compared to the pre-war year 2021, while in 2023 the situation improved and the harvest amounted to 81.6 million tons, and as of November 8, 2024, the harvest amounted to 68.9 million tons.
According to the World Bank, as of the end of 2023, Ukraine's total economic, social, and other monetary losses from the war amounted to $499 billion.
