The active phase of the Russian-Ukrainian war has been ongoing for four years, causing increasing damage to the Ukrainian economy each day. Agriculture, in particular, has been severely affected, with losses estimated in the billions of dollars.
The aim of the study was to provide an overview of Ukraine’s role as a supplier in the global food market, analyze the damage to Ukrainian agriculture caused by Russia’s ongoing military aggression, and outline prospects for the sector’s recovery.
Ukraine has traditionally been one of the largest exporters of agricultural products, particularly grains (corn, wheat, barley) and oilseeds (sunflower oil). This has established its role as a key supplier in the global market and one of the global guarantors of food security, especially for countries in Africa and the Middle East.
The main challenges facing Ukrainian agriculture, as a result of the war, include the destruction of agricultural infrastructure, landmine contamination, and rising costs of seeds, fertilizers, fuel, and agricultural technology.
Disruptions in logistics chains, including the Russian blockade of seaports in the south of the country, have severely restricted exports. This has undermined global food security by interrupting supply chains for key Ukrainian agricultural commodities, such as grains and oils. As a result, FAO’s related Food Price Indices surged in 2022.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative became a key mechanism for mitigating the crisis. Despite Russia’s withdrawal from the agreement in July 2023 and its attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure, the operation of the Grain Corridor allowed Ukrainian exports to resume and contributed to stabilizing global food prices.
Ukraine’s critical role in the global food system requires the rebuilding of its agricultural sector. Based on resilience theory, the authors assess the ability of Ukrainian agriculture to recover quickly. This recovery should be comprehensive, taking into account the economic, social, and environmental aspects of sustainable development.
Land reclamation, logistics development, investment in infrastructure, support for agricultural producers, and resilience building will be critical to this process. The successful implementation of these measures will not only strengthen Ukraine’s position in the international market but will also contribute to global food security by preventing hunger in the most vulnerable regions of the world, particularly in low-income and food-deficit countries.
Keywords: sustainable food systems, resilience theory, Russian-Ukrainian war, Black Sea grain initiative, Grain Corridor, Ukraine Recovery Plan.
Citation: Satyr, L., Zadorozhna, R., Kepko, V., Stadnik, L. (2024): Sustainability of Food Systems: Ukraine’s Agricultural Sector in the Face of War. Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica, 55, 1-13. DOI: 10.7160/sab.2024.550101
