**Ukraine’s Agricultural Exports See a Decline in April**
In what is being seen as a worrying trend, Ukraine’s agricultural exports have dropped by 23.4% in April compared to the previous month, according to data from the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB). This decline comes at a time when agriculture plays a crucial role in Ukraine’s economy, accounting for around 20% of its GDP.
**The Sector Sustains Heavy Losses**
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began, Ukraine’s agricultural sector has faced significant challenges. Agriculture Minister Vitalii Koval has estimated that the country has sustained losses of approximately $80 billion since then. The recent decline in exports is likely to exacerbate these losses and put additional pressure on farmers and producers.
**Grain Exports Take a Hit**
One of the hardest-hit categories was grain exports, which fell by 33% month-over-month to 2.4 million tons. Corn made up the largest share of grain exports at 65%, followed by wheat at 32%, and barley at 2%. Oilseed exports also declined marginally by 3% to 421,200 tons, with soybeans accounting for a significant 78% of this category.
**Sunflower Oil Exports See an Increase**
However, vegetable oils were the only exception to the decline in agricultural exports, showing a 6% increase from March. The unusual growth in Ukrainian sunflower oil exports during this period is attributed to production being spread over a longer timeframe this year.
**Russia’s Blockade and Export Suppression Efforts**
Throughout the war, Russia has attempted to suppress Ukraine’s agricultural exports by controlling the Black Sea and replacing Ukrainian products globally with its own. In October 2024, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal accused Russia of stealing millions of tons of Ukrainian grain from occupied territories, claiming that at least 180,000 tons were taken through Mariupol alone. The detention of a Russian ‘shadow fleet’ ship on April 25 allegedly carrying stolen Ukrainian grain from Crimea further highlights the ongoing efforts by Moscow to disrupt Ukraine’s agricultural trade.
**Ukraine Fights Back**
In response to Russia’s blockade, Ukraine established a new maritime trade route in 2023, reviving its agricultural exports. Agricultural products now account for around 59% of the country’s total exports. Despite the recent decline, Ukraine’s agricultural exports reached $24.5 billion in 2024, approaching the record-breaking 2021 figure of $27.7 billion.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
