Despite the war and climate challenges, Ukrainian farmers have managed to maintain the amount of land under vegetable production. However, the leadership in the production of many crops in Ukraine is gradually shifting from households to larger market players, SEEDSwrites .
This was stated by Taras Bashtannik, President of the Ukrainian Fruit and Vegetable Association, during the conference VeggiFruits. Processing of vegetables and fruits.
Regarding the shortage of vegetables in Ukraine, which arose with the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022, according to the expert, it was quickly replaced and there was no shortage in terms of area, it could only occur in terms of yield.
“This year, the abnormal heat could not but affect any vegetable crop, and we see this in potatoes. But we can predict that next year, about half of Ukraine will be “in potatoes”. And then vice versa. And so on in a circle,” Taras Bashtannik is convinced.
According to the expert, not only in Ukraine, but all over the world, there are always certain factors that affect the yield of a particular crop. However, no shortage will affect the work of processing companies.
“The quick reaction of importers to a certain deficit that fills the domestic market is more about the end consumer and retail. Processing companies do not like not having contracted volumes and planned prices,” says the President of the UPOA.
In addition, Taras Bashtannik drew attention to the changes that have occurred recently in Ukraine, which concern the production processes of many crops.
“Now it is becoming easier for state statistics to account for many things, because we see a redistribution of the production of many crops from households to small, medium and large enterprises that submit at least some statistics.
Previously, 95 plus, or rather 98-99% of the production of any position was produced by households,” reminded Taras Bashtannik.
