The cost of the 2026 spring sowing campaign in Ukraine is expected to increase by about 15% compared to last year, reaching approximately UAH 700 billion, according to Denys Marchuk, Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Agrarian Council (VAR), ProAgro Group reports.
“One of the key challenges this season is the higher cost of the sowing campaign. Overall, Ukrainian producers will need around UAH 700 billion to carry out these works. This will ultimately be reflected in food prices,” the expert noted.
According to him, the main factors behind the cost increase include higher prices for fuel (up by 10–15%), mineral fertilizers (up by about 20%), plant protection products, and seeds. As a result, food prices may rise by 3–5%.
Marchuk also pointed out that due to weather conditions and snow cover in some regions, the sowing campaign may start around two weeks later than usual. At the same time, fieldwork has already begun actively in the southern regions of Ukraine.
The crop structure is expected to remain largely traditional, including sunflower, corn, spring wheat, barley, soybeans, and buckwheat. However, due to climate change, farmers are increasingly experimenting with niche crops such as chickpeas.
The VAR representative also emphasized the importance of government support programs for agricultural producers, especially those operating in frontline regions, where production conditions remain particularly challenging.
Earlier it was reported that sunflower, corn, and soybeans will remain the main spring crops next season, while spring barley acreage may decline to about 500,000 hectares, making it the crop with the largest reduction in planted area.
Source: Open4Business
