Taras Vysotskyi: Farmers have already sown more than 90% of the projected areas with spring crops

Farmers have already sown more than 90% of the projected areas with spring crops – over 12 million hectares. Among the main challenges are labour shortages, rising fuel prices and increasing production costs. This was stated by Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine Taras Vysotskyi during an interview with Suspilne TV, summarising the results of the 2026 spring sowing campaign.

According to him, despite the fifth year of the full-scale invasion, Ukrainian agricultural producers continue to demonstrate resilience and maintain operations. At the same time, the key challenges facing the agricultural sector remain linked to the war.

“This year, farmers have additionally faced rising diesel and fuel and lubricant prices, as well as higher mineral fertiliser costs. This has not stopped the sowing campaign, but it does affect production costs and may impact yields,” Taras Vysotskyi stressed.

At the same time, the state continues to provide maximum support to agricultural producers through various programmes. In particular, the concessional lending programme “5-7-9%” remains in place, under which farmers can receive up to UAH 90 million, including for the sowing campaign, while enterprises in livestock farming and processing can receive up to UAH 150 million.

Support also continues for the development of irrigation systems, grant programmes for horticulture, greenhouse farming, and the construction of vegetable and fruit storage facilities. A separate focus is placed on supporting farmers in frontline regions, for whom around UAH 1.7 billion in assistance has been allocated this year.

In addition, the state continues implementing the programme for the free demining of agricultural land, for which up to UAH 2 billion has been allocated in 2026.