Ukraine-Russia Tensions: What it Could Mean for Agriculture

By Sara Schafer

The political tensions between Ukraine and Russia continue to mount. Russia has placed 100,000 troops on Ukraine’s borders, and the Pentagon ordered 8,500 troops on higher alert Monday to potentially deploy to Europe as part of a NATO “response force” amid growing concern that Russia could soon make a military move on Ukraine.

Ukraine is a key player in global agriculture, and how these conflicts play out will have international impacts. Ukraine has more than 41.5 million hectares (or 102.5 million acres) of agricultural land that cover 70% of the country.

In 2020, Ukraine’s agriculture sector generated approximately 9.3% of GDP. Crop farming, which accounts for 73% of agricultural output, dominates Ukrainian agriculture, according to the International Trade Administration.

The country’s main crops are sunflowers, corn, soybeans, wheat and barley. Globally, Ukraine ranks:  
•    1st in global sunflower production (For 2021/22 Ukraine sunflower seed production is estimated at a record 17.5 MMT)
•    6th in global corn production. (For 2021/22 Ukraine corn production is estimated at a record 42 MMT)
•    6th in global barley production
•    7th in global rapeseed production
•    9th in global soybean production
•    9th in global wheat production

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