Ministry of Agrarian Policy
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Ukraine PM puts 2025 business damage from Russian strikes at $7.7 billion
Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky said Russian attacks caused $7.7 billion in direct damages to Ukrainian businesses this year and destroyed or damaged more than 1 million square meters of warehouse, production, and logistics space. In an interview with BBC Ukraine, he said the economy is still functioning and outlined government relief measures, including transferring state premises to firms and adjusting the subsidized "Affordable Loans 5-7-9%" program. He also said the state has stepped in to partially compensate losses that vessels entering Ukrainian ports cannot insure internationally.
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EU Commission proposes permanent post-accession limits on Ukraine's farm exports and CAP subsidies
The European Commission has adopted an enlargement-reform package proposing to significantly restrict Ukraine's access to the EU agricultural market and to Common Agricultural Policy subsidies even after it joins the bloc, citing concerns from Poland, France and Italy about competition from Ukrainian grain and oilseeds. The Commission also plans 'roadmaps' without fixed accession dates for the four most advanced candidates, including Ukraine, and will link EU funding to legal and anti-corruption reforms. Ukraine's agriculture minister said Kyiv is ready for a transition period with a clear end date but cannot accept permanent restrictions.
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Poland and Romania refuse to expand Ukrainian grain transit as Black Sea blockade drives export crisis
Poland and Romania have declined Ukraine's request to increase grain transit through their territories, citing the interests of their own farmers. Ukraine's agriculture minister traveled to Brussels to warn of a "very, very critical" situation, with up to 35 million tons of grain potentially stuck in the country and next year's sown area projected to shrink by 35–40% if the Black Sea blockade continues.
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Turkey and UN to mediate new Russia–Ukraine Black Sea ceasefire talks in early October
Turkey and the United Nations are organizing a new round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine on a ceasefire in the Black Sea to protect grain and food exports. Meetings are scheduled for early October, with the Swiss NGO Center for Humanitarian Dialogue acting as mediator. The initiative, launched in September, seeks to recreate the 2022 Black Sea Grain Initiative and was discussed at a closed meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly attended by officials from Turkey, the US, European countries, India and Egypt.
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Zelensky says Ukraine ready for Black Sea safe-passage deal, awaits Russia's response
Speaking at the sixth summit of the International Crimea Platform on 23 September, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine has agreed to a regime of safe passage for vessels in the Black Sea and is waiting for Russia's official reply through mediators. Egypt, India and Turkey have submitted written proposals, and Zelensky linked the disruption of Black Sea exports of grain, fertilizers, diesel and oil to Russia's 2014 occupation and militarization of Crimea.
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Russian strike on cargo vessel off Odesa kills Ukrainian captain
Russian forces struck a civilian cargo vessel sailing under the flag of Antigua and Barbuda in the Black Sea off Odesa Oblast overnight on September 23, killing the ship's Ukrainian captain. The remaining crew was evacuated and the resulting fire was extinguished. The same night, Russian forces twice hit warehouses storing medicines, household goods and food in Odesa Oblast.
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FAO food price index hits highest level since late 2022 as sugar, grains surge
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization's Food Price Index rose 1.9% in August to 133.3 points, its highest level since November 2022, with all five sub-indices climbing. Sugar jumped 11.9%, the sharpest move, while grains and vegetable oils also reached multi-year highs. FAO lowered its 2026 world grain production forecast and warned that climate shocks, Black Sea disruptions and trade frictions are putting a risk premium back on food markets.