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Ukrainian farmers have already reaped 400 thousand tons of grain despite missile strikes, explosive traps and burning fields. This year yield is not much worse than last year's. Although, while the farmers expect to collect about 70 million tons, 20 million tons of crops still remain from the previous harvest.
Despite the war, enemy shells, plundered and burned fields, and seized territories, Ukrainian agricultural industry has achieved 70% of its capacity. The estimated losses have reached USD 25 billion, TSN reports.
Despite overfilled storage facilities, the next sawing campaign is still under the threat – export blockade caused by the Russian invaders has left Ukrainian farmers without money to fund the winter sowing campaign. Therefore, 2023 may become the most difficult challenge for Ukrainian agrarian frontline.
Three kilometers away from Russia-controlled part of Kherson Region, the Ukrainian fields are once again engulfed in flames, while in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro Region, the Russian missiles and shells have burned into cinder 600 hectares of crop fields. This time the farmers have managed to reap a harvest only few hours before the shelling. In Cherkasy Region, the fields are black now, but not because of ashes, but because of timely harvested crops. Cherkasy farmers work in a hurry, because a Russian shell may hit a field at any minute. Their region is considered zone of interior, although the battle for harvest still continues.
It takes much bravery to save the crops from devastation. The Russian troops precisely barrage Ukrainian grain storages. This facility was just hit by a volley of rocket-launching artillery. A 28-year-old worker was killed at site. Two more employees suffered injuries. The Russians fire precisely in order to destroy harvest and agricultural machinery, the farmers report. This puts the next sowing campaign at risk.
However, the worst risk for current agricultural front is lack of customers. About 20 million tons of last year crops are still kept at the grain storages. Around 70 million tons are expected to be reaped this year. Due to marine export blockade, Ukrainian grain storages are overfilled.
According to farmer Serhii Voichenko, previously during this season they usually sold at least 100 tons of grain daily, however today their daily output reaches only 25 tons. The farmers are not going to sell thr grain for cheap, therefore they are going to build extra grain storages. Currently, Ukraine has no capabilities to store 20 million tons of grain. The industry is taking actions in order to mitigate deficiency of grain storages and elevators.
Taras Vysotskyi, the First Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, emphasized that the Verkhovna Rada temporarily canceled customs duties on the import of hoses, elevator equipment, etc. for the period of martial law.
According to the Head of the All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council, Denys Marchuk, unless the country manages to launch full-scale marine export, there are only three ways left: automobile road, river ports and railway. In this case, Ukraine will be able to ship only 2-3 million tones per month. This is too little output.
"It will take us 3 years to ship the remaining stock. If the situation continues to develop like this, 30 percent of agricultural producers will cease their activities," he added.
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