**Ukraine’s Agriculture Sector Lost $80 Billion Due to Russian Invasion**
Ukraine’s agricultural sector has suffered a huge loss of around $80 billion due to Russia‘s full-scale invasion, according to the country’s Agriculture Minister Vitalii Koval. He made this statement on February 25 while presenting a World Bank report.
The figure includes not only direct damage but also indirect losses caused by disrupted logistics, increased costs for fertilizer and fuel, land reclamation, and demining efforts in occupied territories.
**Restoring Agriculture Sector a Priority**
Minister Koval emphasized the need to restore Ukraine’s agricultural sector as soon as possible. He highlighted that helping farmers in front-line territories is a key priority.
The agricultural sector plays a vital role in Ukraine’s economy, accounting for around 20% of the country’s GDP.
**Impact on Exports**
After Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022, Ukraine’s share of non-agricultural exports declined significantly. However, agricultural food exports remained relatively stable, providing crucial support to the Ukrainian economy.
A study by the German-Ukrainian Agricultural Policy Dialogue project found that while non-agricultural exports declined, agricultural food exports have helped maintain stability in the economy.
**Ukraine’s Resilience**
Despite Moscow’s attempts to obstruct Ukraine’s agricultural exports by blockading the Black Sea and trying to replace Ukrainian products with its own, Ukraine has managed to reopen a maritime trade corridor and revive its agricultural exports.
In 2024, Ukraine’s agricultural exports reached $24.5 billion, approaching pre-war levels and achieving the second-highest record after 2021’s $27.7 billion. Last year, agricultural exports accounted for 59% of the country’s total exports.
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