Ukraine's Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Taras Vysotskyi, has discussed agricultural exports and the need to restore safe and stable shipping in the Black Sea with Türkiye's Ambassador to Ukraine, Fatma Ceren Yazgan.
According to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, Vysotskyi warned that restrictions on the operation of Black Sea ports have put approximately half of Ukraine's agricultural exports at risk, equivalent to around 32 million tonnes of products.
"We are making maximum use of alternative routes — the Danube, railways and road transport. However, they cannot fully replace maritime exports. Without the restoration of stable shipping through the Black Sea, agricultural production will begin to decline in the long term," the minister said.
He explained that limited export opportunities would reduce farmers' revenues, leaving them with fewer resources to purchase seeds, fertilisers and crop protection products and to prepare for the next sowing season.
According to Vysotskyi, agricultural products worth approximately $10 billion are currently at risk of being unable to reach export markets.
A potential reduction in cultivated areas would affect not only agricultural producers but also rural communities. Ukraine has approximately 35,000 active agricultural producers, while income from leasing agricultural land is an important source of revenue for many rural residents.
The two sides discussed coordinating international efforts to ensure stable exports of Ukrainian grain.
Ambassador Fatma Ceren Yazgan confirmed Türkiye's readiness to help identify practical solutions and raise the issue of Ukrainian agricultural exports in discussions with international partners.
She emphasised that supporting Ukraine's agricultural sector is important for global food security, as well as for the economic resilience of Ukraine and its communities.
The meeting also addressed cooperation on irrigation and opportunities to involve Turkish expertise and businesses in relevant projects in Ukraine.
Vysotskyi said Ukraine plans to participate in COP31 in Türkiye and is ready to use the conference as a platform to discuss food security, agricultural production and irrigation.
"What matters to us is not a one-off solution, but a predictable and sustainable export mechanism. Farmers need to know that they will be able to sell what they produce. This is a matter of resilience for Ukraine's agricultural sector and rural communities, as well as global food security," the minister stressed.
