The agricultural sector is under occupation: farmers are deprived of their crops, grain is going to Russia
15 August 20:50
Russia has exported 2.5 million tons of wheat from the new harvest from the occupied territories of Ukraine – Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to the Center for National Resistance.
They emphasized that even Russian propaganda resources recognize the replenishment of state grain reserves at the expense of the so-called “new regions” despite the difficult weather conditions and drought. According to Ukrainian experts, this is direct evidence of systemic economic looting.
Control over the agricultural sector and restrictions for Ukrainian farmers
The Russian occupation administration fully controls the activities of agricultural enterprises in the occupied territories. Local Ukrainian farmers are denied access to their products and the opportunity to sell them.
Such actions effectively destroy private agribusiness in the region and deprive farmers of any source of income.
The international dimension of the problem
Seized grain is most likely used both for domestic consumption in Russia and for export to third countries. Often, such shipments are made under the guise of Russian grain, making it difficult to control its origin.
The UN and the EU have repeatedly called for stricter supply chain verification mechanisms to prevent the legalization of stolen products on the global market.
Implications for the Ukrainian economy
The export of 2.5 million tons of wheat from the occupied territories is a double blow to Ukraine:
1. Direct losses – a reduction in the amount of grain that could have been exported and brought in foreign currency earnings.
2. Structural consequences – a decrease in employment in the agricultural sector, the destruction of logistics chains and the outflow of specialists from the industry.
Analysts estimate that the value of the exported grain could reach more than $600 million at current world prices, depending on the quality and market conditions.
Prospects and Ukraine’s response
The Ukrainian authorities plan to document all facts of illegal grain exports for further international lawsuits against Russia. It is expected that the issue of “grain looting” will be one of the key issues in Kyiv’s upcoming negotiations with international partners.
The Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine says it will seek not only compensation but also new sanctions against Russian companies and ships involved in the illegal export of Ukrainian grain.
Read also: Empty warehouses and lost profits: how and why the ban on Ukrainian grain hit Warsaw
Harvest – 2025: what you need to know about grain harvesting
As of August 15, 2025, Ukraine has already harvested 24 805.9 thsd tonnes of early grains and pulses on the area of 6 186.6 thsd ha. Farmers have threshed 55% of the area planted with these crops.
In particular:
- Wheat – harvested 18,985.7 thou tons on the area of 4,396.2 thou hectares;
- Barley – 4,732.0 thou tons harvested on the area of 1,247.2 thou hectares;
- Peas – 573.5 thou tons were harvested on the area of 230.3 thou hectares.
Other grains and pulses were harvested in the amount of 513.1 thou tons on the area of 310.8 thou hectares.
Among the leaders, in particular:
- Odesa region – harvested 3 425.3 thousand tons from the area of 1 070.4 thousand hectares.
- Kirovograd region – harvested 2,204.0 thou tons from the area of 533.4 thou hectares.
- Vinnytsia region – harvested 2,082.9 thou tons from the area of 337.6 thou hectares.
Farmers also continue to harvest rapeseed. As of the second half of August, the company has already harvested 3,014.5 thou tons of this oilseed on the area of 1,184.8 thou hectares. Buckwheat harvesting has started in Kirovograd and Dnipro regions.
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