This year’s harvest will be enough for everyone, but prices will still rise

Despite the weather conditions, Ukrainian farmers harvested a good crop this year. In general, about 75 million tons of grain and oilseeds crops are expected. This is enough to ensure domestic and international food security.

This was stated by the First Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, Taras Vysotsky, during the briefing “Work of the agricultural sector in the conditions of war and the situation on the food market”.

According to him, according to forecasts, in comparison with 2023, the harvest of grain and oilseeds decreased by 10%. That year, 85 million tons were collected, now – 75 million tons. First of all, the harvest of corn, partly of sunflower, decreased.

“Ukrainian farmers once again managed to ensure domestic and global food security. Domestic consumption of grain and oilseeds is 25 million tons. And the rest will be exported. The soybean harvest is particularly high – 6 million tons is expected. This is a historical record for Ukraine,” said Taras Vysotskyi.

The Deputy Minister also said that despite the decrease in the harvest, the export of agricultural products may reach 23-24 billion dollars. More than last year, when 22 billion dollars were exported. Because international prices have risen.

In addition, Taras Vysotsky noted that the decrease in the harvest will affect the prices of agricultural products, but there will be no significant increase. In particular, potatoes were harvested 18% less than last year due to the drought. Currently, the price per kilogram is 25-30 hryvnias, which has already lasted for 3-4 weeks, and growth is not expected. The Deputy Minister emphasized that there is no reason to increase the price of potatoes to UAH 50. At the same time, pork is becoming cheaper. Currently, according to him, pork is cheaper than a year ago. The price of poultry meat does not change much. There is a definite increase in the price of dairy products by 10-15% due to the rise in international prices.

Tags: weather conditions, consumption, corn, potatoes, sunflower, grain, pork, prices, soybeans, oilseeds, crop, poultry meat, Ukraine, food security