2024 was a record year for the Ukrainian agricultural sector. During the year, agrarians secured foreign exchange earnings of 24.7 billion dollars – this is the second highest indicator in the history of the country.
About this stated Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Vitaly Koval during the Ukrainian grain conference, which gathered more than a thousand agricultural producers and processors. The minister emphasized that even in the war year, the agricultural sector was able to provide 59% of the country’s foreign exchange earnings, which is a proof of its stability and importance for the Ukrainian economy. He thanked the farmers for their hard work and resilience in difficult conditions.
One of the key directions for 2025 will be the development of deep processing of agricultural products. The minister noted that the strategy of added value will allow to significantly increase the number of products that have a high market price, and strengthen Ukraine’s position on the world agricultural market.
Another important task is the restoration of animal husbandry, which should balance agricultural production and make the agricultural sector more sustainable. Koval emphasized that Ukrainian grain should undergo further conversion through the fodder base and animal husbandry. This, in turn, will help to increase the production of meat and dairy products, which will strengthen the country’s food security.
The minister also reminded that one hectare of Ukrainian land is capable of feeding 18 people in the world, and in general, Ukrainian food provides food for more than 400 million people. However, this figure can increase to 600 million if public policy is aimed at effective interaction between the government, agricultural producers, processing enterprises and the livestock sector.
In addition, Koval noted that with the expansion of internal processing of agricultural products, the agro-industrial complex of Ukraine will be able to increase export revenues fivefold. This means that instead of exporting raw materials, the country can become a powerful manufacturer of finished products, which will bring much more revenue to the state budget.
Oksana Osmachko, Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy, said that the Ministry is actively working to bring Ukrainian legislation into line with European Union standards. This will make it possible to more effectively prepare the country for negotiations on joining the EU and adapt the agricultural sector to European norms and requirements.
We will remind, earlier it was reported that the agro-industrial complex of Ukraine became the largest excise tax payer among all producers of excise goods. According to the results of 2024, the state budget received 105.2 billion hryvnias, of which 85.9 billion (81.7%) were taxes from agricultural production.
