As of May 9, 8.6 million hectares have been sown with various crops, which is only 24% less than last year, told Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal at a Government session on May 10.

“Thanks to the coordinated work of farmers and the state, we manage to be quite successful in this most challenging sowing campaign in the history of Ukraine. Farmers received more than UAH 20 billion in soft loans under various Government programs. We helped with seeds, fuel, fertilizers. All this is to ensure that the industry has never stopped and continues to work to restore the Ukrainian economy,” the Head of Government stressed.

Prime Minister reminded back in March the spring sowing campaign was considered to be one of the biggest challenges for the state on the economic front. Denys Shmyhal accentuated that summing up the interim results, we can admit that we have coped with this task all together.

At the same time, the PM emphasized under current develpments, sowing crops is half the battle. It also needs to be harvested and exported.

“We are negotiating with other countries stepping up our export opportunities via their ports. We engage in activities to increase the capacity of our western border and improve railway and automobile logistics. Together with all international partners and organizations, we are looking for ways to unlock our maritime trade,” the Head of Government emphasized.

The Prime Minister added the issue of unblocking the Ukrainian ports had been raised by him personally at the recent meeting with the President of the European Council Charles Michel in Odesa.