In spite of the significant losses incurred by agriculture due to russian aggression, Ukraine retains significant export potential in the agricultural sector. This was stated by First Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko in an interview with CNN to be aired shortly.
“In general, Ukraine exported 50.9 million tonnes of agricultural and food products for a total of USD 21.1 billion during 11 months of this year. In terms of volume it is by 16.7%, and in terms of value – by 13.7% less than in 11 months of last year,” Yuliia Svyrydenko said.
Among the products of the agro-industrial complex and food industry, the most exported were, in particular:
These indicators were achieved by Ukrainian producers despite the losses of Ukraine’s agro-industrial complex. Thus, according to the report prepared by the KSE Institute together with the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, direct losses of the agricultural sector amounted to USD 6.6 billion, while the indirect losses amounted to USD 34.25 billion.
According to Yuliia Svyrydenko, the Grain Initiative, which has been in force since July 2022, and the new Grain from Ukraine program initiated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in November are of great importance in restoring export volumes.
For reference:
Ukraine has exported 13 million tonnes of agricultural products since the beginning of the “grain corridor”.
More than USD 180 million has been attracted for the implementation of the Grain from Ukraine program, which was joined by more than 30 countries and international organizations.
On 3 December, the first vessel with 25 thousand tonnes of Ukrainian wheat arrived in Ethiopia. Another one – with 30 thousand tonnes of wheat on board – sailed off for this country. Two more vessels are being loaded to deliver a total of 55 thousand tonnes of humanitarian wheat for Somalia and Sudan.