Publications

The DITASANA farm began operating in 2020 and cultivates 24 hectares of leased land in the Kharkiv region.

Ukraine’s EU membership requires the adaptation of livestock farming to stricter standards for product safety, animal welfare and environmental regulations. At the same time, the changes and innovations that agricultural producers will have to implement on farms will help raise production standards and expand export opportunities for Ukrainian products.

The war and the energy shock have transformed Ukraine’s greenhouse business, but it remains a strategically important sector. Western regions are gradually forming new greenhouse hubs. Those who focus on the latest technologies are the ones surviving. With energy costs rising to 60–70%, domestically grown greenhouse vegetables and herbs are becoming uncompetitive. In such conditions, it is cheaper to import produce.

Today, the main challenge for Ukraine’s agricultural sector is uncertainty. Farmers do not always know whether they will be able to access their fields, whether the land will be safe, whether they will have enough funds for seeds, fertilizers, feed and fuel, or whether they will be able to store and sell their harvest.

Ukraine’s integration into the European Union in the field of crop production is considered one of the most challenging areas due to the need for a fundamental transformation of regulatory frameworks and cultivation practices.

Today, staying one step ahead is no longer optional for farmers — it is a business reality. To increase productivity, reduce costs and strengthen resilience, agricultural businesses need to move beyond traditional approaches and build their operations on accurate data.

The full-scale war has dealt a serious blow to Ukrainian beekeeping, causing both the direct death of millions of insects due to shelling and fires, and the destruction of thousands of farms in occupied and frontline territories.

The European integration of Ukraine’s agricultural sector is now an entirely realistic development scenario for the industry. Ukraine has already implemented around 74% of the provisions of the Association Agreement related to agriculture and rural development, and 83% of those concerning food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy.

In recent years, Polish farmers have made numerous accusations against Ukrainian agricultural producers. There is a certain level of competition between producers in the two countries, as well as concerns about possible pressure on Polish farmers if Ukraine joins the EU. But is a compromise possible between producers and farmers in both countries?

Climate change and water shortages raise the issue of the need for irrigation and the organization of additional moisture supply for farmers. Today, out of 31 million hectares of land in Ukraine, 18 million hectares are under water deficit, and 3 million hectares are critically under water deficit.

Farmer Yuriy Kushnir from Luhansk region, after the start of the war and his forced relocation to Poltava region, not only restored his farm but is also actively developing modern berry production. His approach combines experience, technology and a clear strategy: focusing on quality and staying ahead of the market.

For Ukrainian farmers, the European Union is the most important market, one that is already shaping export strategies and production technologies. In January–February 2026 alone, Ukraine exported 9.95 million tonnes of agricultural products worth a total of $4 billion. At the same time, foreign currency revenues from agricultural exports increased by 9.3% compared with last year, while the EU’s share in total exports amounted to about 50%.

When forecasting grain prices, market participants now take into account not only weather conditions and the balance of supply and demand, but also the geopolitical situation. The military conflict in the Middle East and the threat of a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz may have long-term consequences for the global grain market.

As part of the conference on large and small farming Agro Ukraine Farming, the winners of the POWER OF AGROCHANGES competition will be awarded during the FARMERS DAY event on June 19.

The production cost of major crops will increase by 14-17% this year, including wheat by 14%, corn by 17%, and sunflower by 16%.

Ukraine's path to the EU requires fundamental changes in business approaches. After all, this market requires not only the availability of products, but also transparency of the entire supply chain, compliance with environmental standards and high financial discipline. In order not to lose margins before entering the EU market, it is worth preparing today.