Ukraine seeks international support to restore seaborne agricultural exports

The full restoration of agricultural exports through the ports of Greater Odesa remains essential for Ukraine’s economic resilience and global food security, according to Ukraine’s Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Taras Vysotsky. Speaking at a meeting of the heads of Ukraine’s diplomatic missions abroad, he called for stronger international support to protect the country’s maritime export routes.

According to Vysotsky, cumulative losses in Ukraine’s agricultural sector have exceeded $90 billion since 2022, while the country’s arable land has shrunk by nearly one quarter. Despite these challenges, agriculture still generates about 56% of Ukraine’s export revenues, employs 20% of the national workforce, and supplies food to an estimated 400 million people worldwide.

Vysotsky stressed that there is no viable medium-term alternative to restoring full shipping operations through the ports of Greater Odesa. He urged Ukrainian diplomats to intensify efforts to secure international support for protecting export logistics, emphasizing that the issue extends beyond Ukraine and is critical to global food security.

The minister outlined the government’s strategic priorities, including further integration with the EU, continued support for farmers—particularly in frontline regions—and expanding domestic processing to increase value-added agricultural exports. Ukraine aims to raise the share of value-added products in total agricultural exports from 57% to 70% by 2030.

The Ministry of Agrarian Policy is also preparing new support measures for 2027, including compensation of UAH 10,460 per hectare for lost crops and UAH 3,900 per hectare for land occupied by fortifications. Other priorities include developing bioenergy, restoring irrigation systems damaged after the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, and expanding access to subsidized loans under the “Affordable Loans 5-7-9%” program.

Following the meeting, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs agreed on further joint actions to support Ukrainian agricultural exports through diplomatic channels, open new international markets, and strengthen global support for Ukraine’s agricultural sector.

Tags: Ukraine, Black Sea grain corridor