Despite weather-related and military risks and rising production costs, Ukrainian farmers are counting on a good harvest this year. The sowing campaign has been practically completed; in total, around 20 million hectares have been sown for the 2026 harvest, of which almost 13 million hectares are spring crops. At the same time, exports remain a significant challenge for the agricultural sector, increasingly suffering from enemy attacks on port infrastructure.

This was stated during a briefing at Media Center Ukraine by Denys Marchuk, Deputy Chairman of the UAC (Ukrainian Agri Council).

"We are expecting a good harvest, at least at the level of last year. We are talking about 80–83 million tonnes, including 60–62 million tonnes of grain crops. But today it is important for farmers not only to grow the produce, but also to be able to sell it. Ukraine remains one of the key food suppliers in the world, and our partners are expecting Ukrainian grain. That is why the stable operation of export infrastructure is very important," Denys Marchuk noted.

According to him, about 90% of Ukraine's agricultural exports pass through the ports of Greater Odesa, so any attacks on these facilities directly affect the operation of the entire agricultural sector.

"Ports today are the bridge between millions of hectares of Ukrainian fields and global food demand. The enemy understands well the importance of ports for the Ukrainian economy and deliberately strikes these facilities. Direct losses to port infrastructure already exceed 1.5 billion dollars, and the number of attacks is constantly growing. While about 150 strikes were recorded over the whole of last year, in just the first half of this year there have already been more than 180," the Deputy Chairman of the UAC emphasized.

The destruction of port infrastructure is already affecting exports and creating additional financial pressure on agricultural producers.

"Every strike on the ports means rising insurance costs, more expensive freight, and additional risks for shipping. Ultimately, these costs are passed on to Ukrainian farmers through lower purchase prices for their produce. If there is no decent price, producers will lose part of the income they should have directed toward preparing for the autumn sowing campaign. That is why the UAC has supported the appeal of port operators regarding the expansion of insurance programs and support for the restoration of damaged infrastructure," Denys Marchuk stressed.

According to UAC estimates, in the new season Ukraine may export 40–50 million tonnes of grain crops. Despite a certain reduction in exports to the EU, the key markets remain the countries of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Ukraine's timely fulfillment of contracts directly depends on the uninterrupted operation of port infrastructure. At the same time, the logistics situation has already led to the accumulation of carryover stocks of produce.

"Ukraine is entering the new season with larger grain reserves than last year. If during this period last year carryover stocks amounted to less than 7 million tonnes, now they exceed 9 million tonnes. This is a direct consequence of logistics problems and constant attacks on port infrastructure. Such volumes will additionally put pressure on domestic prices and increase the costs of storing produce. For farmers, this means additional financial losses even with a good harvest," the Deputy Chairman of the UAC summed up.

The UAC emphasizes that the restoration and protection of port infrastructure is one of the key factors of stability for the agricultural sector, since it is precisely the operation of seaports that determines Ukraine's ability to fully realize its future harvest on world markets. The UAC calls on the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Ministry of Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, as well as international partners, to heed the voice of port operators and expand mechanisms for insuring and compensating war risks.