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Ukraine Appeals to EU for Emergency Aid as Russian Port Attacks Threaten Autumn Sowing
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Ukraine’s Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food has requested €220 million ($254 million) in non-repayable aid from the European Commission.
The funds are intended to subsidize loan interest rates for small and medium agricultural producers under the state "Accessible Loans 5-7-9%" program, according to the press service of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine on August 7.
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The measure aims to support farmers who lost export access following Russian attacks on Greater Odesa ports, helping them maintain operations and secure funding for the autumn sowing campaign.
This support comes amid projections that agricultural exports could drop from 64.4 million tons to 29.6 million tons in the 2026/2027 marketing year, with direct agricultural losses estimated between $1.5 billion and $3 billion.
"Due to Russia's blocking of sea exports, thousands of Ukrainian farmers cannot sell already grown produce and receive funds to continue working. That is why we appealed to the European Commission with a proposal to support Ukrainian producers by compensating interest on loans," commented Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Taras Vysotskyi.
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According to ministry data, storage facilities across the country could reach full capacity by October. By November, more than 9 million tons of grain and oilseed crops risk having no available warehouse space.
Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyi noted that the government expanded program options to support farmers impacted by Russian attacks in the Black Sea and blocked export channels.
Under the measure, agricultural producers can secure concessional loans while the government compensates for interest rate differences.
Minister Taras Vysotskyi stated that Ukraine is searching for alternative export routes, though these paths can cover only half of the volumes previously shipped through Odesa region ports.
Agricultural producers are experiencing financial pressure as prices for oilseed and grain crops have fallen by 30%. To prevent an export shutdown, the government has lowered minimum export prices on specific agricultural products.
Previously, a Russian strike on a Guinea-Bissau-flagged civilian cargo vessel near Odesa killed 10 people, including a Ukrainian maritime pilot, the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority reported on July 20.
The attack occurred on July 19 shortly after the bulk carrier had completed loading a cargo of corn and was departing a Ukrainian port. On board were 17 crew members from Syria and India, along with a harbor pilot from the Delta-Pilot branch of Ukraine's state maritime enterprise.
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