Leder i poltava-bondeforening:fra Ukrudnød tilbonningdighemstilling
The head of the Poltava District Farmers Association, Oleh Slyzko, warned that up to 20% of Ukrainian farmers may stop operating after the current season, citing falling grain and sunflower prices, rising fuel costs and export problems. The warning underscores a widening gap between falling purchase prices and rising production costs, and calls for state control over agricultural exports.
Hovedpunkter
- Up to 20% of Ukrainian farmers may not continue after the current season, according to Oleh Slyzko, head of the Poltava District Farmers Association.
- Slyzko cited falling grain and sunflower prices, rising fuel costs and export problems as the main reasons.
- Class 4 wheat is selling at around 4,400 hryvnia per tonne in 2024, compared with 9,000–10,000 hryvnia per tonne the previous year.
- Sunflower prices fell from 33,000–35,000 hryvnia per tonne in spring to 15,000–16,000 hryvnia per tonne at the time of the statement.
- Slyzko accused traders of artificially suppressing purchase prices while ports remain blocked and exports are slowed.
- The association's position is that exports of agricultural products should be brought under state control.
- This year's grain harvest is expected at around 60.4 million tonnes, with wheat output more than four times domestic needs.
Hvorfor det er viktig
A significant share of Ukraine's farmers face potential exit from the market, which could affect domestic food production and rural employment. The squeeze between falling purchase prices and rising production costs is framed as a systemic crisis rather than an isolated difficulty, and an industry figure is calling for state control over agricultural exports, indicating a live policy debate about managing the sector under wartime conditions.
Hva som skjedde
At an event reported on 19 October 2026, Oleh Slyzko, head of the Poltava District Farmers Association, warned that up to 20% of Ukrainian farmers may cease operations after the current season. He attributed the situation to falling grain and sunflower prices, higher fuel costs and export problems, and accused traders of artificially suppressing purchase prices while ports remain blocked and exports are slowed.
Slyzko illustrated the price collapse with concrete figures: class 4 wheat at around 4,400 hryvnia per tonne in 2024 versus 9,000–10,000 hryvnia per tonne a year earlier, and sunflower dropping from 33,000–35,000 hryvnia per tonne in spring to 15,000–16,000 hryvnia per tonne at the time of the statement. He noted that state and private elevators are full and most farmers cannot hold grain until market conditions improve. The Poltava District Farmers Association's position is that exports of agricultural products should be brought under state control. Slyzko also warned that a shift toward exporting sunflower meal rather than grain and maize could leave 40% of farmers unable to operate and would further depress prices.
Bakgrunn
Ukrainian farmers are shifting toward the most profitable crops because of the war and poor weather, but this has not shielded them from falling profits. State and private elevators are full, and most farmers lack the ability to store grain until market conditions improve. This year's grain harvest is expected at roughly 60.4 million tonnes, comparable to last year, with wheat production more than four times domestic needs, putting pressure on export channels. Farmers argue traders are artificially lowering purchase prices while ports remain blocked and exports are slowed.