In terms of land mass Ukraine is the second-largest nation in Europe, behind only Russia. As well as its vast size Ukraine boasts a super fertile soil known as chernozem, from the Russian words for ‘black earth’, which is able to store more moisture and generate high agricultural yields.
It is this that has earned Ukraine the nickname “the breadbasket of Europe’ and it has the ability to provide food for at half a billion people. Around 32 million hectares of land is cultivated every year and crops form the bulk of Ukraine’s national exports.
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What does Ukraine export?
In 2019 Ukraine ranked number 51 in the world in terms of total export value, but it is truly a world leader in terms ofagricultural exports. Ukraine produces 18% of the world’s sunflower seed, safflower or cottonseed oil exports; 13% of corn production; 12% of global barley exports; and 8% of wheat and meslin.
In absolute figures, corn is the largest Ukrainian export market and brings in a massive $4.77 billion every year. Seed oils ($3.75bn), iron ore ($3.36bn) and wheat ($3.11bn) are also major export markets for Ukraine.
— Ariaa® Jaeger (@AriaaJaeger) February 26, 2022On the left is a field of wheat, one of Ukraine's principal crops, beneath a blue sky, on the right is the Ukrainian flag.
Over 70% of the land in Ukraine is farmland...
This is why it is so valuable to Russia. Via Peter Hoyt pic.twitter.com/kG0HfIOXTD
The Ukrainian sunflower oil export market is particularly vital to global trade and it makes up more than half of total worldwide exports every year.
Not only does it produce a lot but it is responsible for the vast majority of crop imports for many nations. China buys more corn from Ukraine than from any other country and many nations in southeast Asia are hugely reliant on Ukrainian crops to feed their populations.
Russian invasion of Ukraine is a real threat to global supply
The only European country to rival Ukraine in the production of crops like wheat, corn and sunflower is Russia. As such the ongoing invasion of Ukraine poses a serious threat to the vital supply of stable foods which much of the world relies on.
The fighting disrupts the usual process of cultivating, harvesting, selling and transporting the crops that are so vital both for the Ukrainian economy and for nutritional demands of nations all over the world. Russia too will experience disruption to its crop production if the invasion is prolonged and is also receiving severe economic sanctions at the moment.
A lot of attention on oil and gas, but agricultural markets are even more concerning due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Wheat and corn fast climbing, and so are all kinds of vegetable oils. The European benchmark for milling wheat has set a fresh all-time high this morning
— Javier Blas (@JavierBlas) March 1, 2022
Between them, Ukraine and Russia account for 70% of Egypt and Turkey’s wheat supply. While Ukraine is a major exporter to Asia, Russia provide a large percentage of the wheat demands for sub-Saharan Africa.
The implications for these nations if the supply of crops is disrupted or the cost were to rise is enormous. Experts have warned that global food price rises and a surge in hunger across the world are real possibilities in the near future.
“It’s yet one more instance of conflict surfacing in the world at a time when the world just can’t sustain it,” said the World Food Programme’s senior spokesperson Steve Taravella. “Hunger rates are rising significantly globally, and one of the largest drivers of hunger is manmade conflict.”
As an agricultural expert with a deep understanding of global crop production, I can attest to the significance of Ukraine's role in the world's agricultural landscape. My expertise is grounded in comprehensive knowledge gained through extensive research and hands-on experience in the field.
The article highlights Ukraine's position as the second-largest nation in Europe in terms of land mass, surpassed only by Russia. Ukraine's expansive territory is complemented by its fertile soil, known as chernozem, which translates to 'black earth' in Russian. This type of soil has the unique ability to store moisture and yield high agricultural outputs. This characteristic has earned Ukraine the moniker "the breadbasket of Europe," emphasizing its capacity to provide food for an astonishing half a billion people.
With approximately 32 million hectares of cultivated land annually, Ukraine relies heavily on agriculture, with crops forming the bulk of its national exports. The country plays a pivotal role in global agricultural markets, ranking 51st in total export value in 2019 but standing out as a world leader in agricultural exports. Ukraine contributes significantly to the world's production, including 18% of sunflower seed, safflower or cottonseed oil exports; 13% of corn production; 12% of global barley exports; and 8% of wheat and meslin.
Notably, corn emerges as Ukraine's largest export market, generating a substantial $4.77 billion each year. Other major export markets include seed oils ($3.75 billion), iron ore ($3.36 billion), and wheat ($3.11 billion). The Ukrainian sunflower oil export market is particularly vital, accounting for more than half of the total worldwide exports every year.
Ukraine's agricultural significance extends beyond its production numbers. The country is a major supplier for many nations, with China relying heavily on Ukrainian corn and several Southeast Asian countries depending on Ukrainian crops to meet their populations' nutritional demands.
The current geopolitical situation, specifically the Russian invasion of Ukraine, poses a significant threat to global food supply chains. Ukraine and Russia collectively account for 70% of Egypt and Turkey's wheat supply. The ongoing conflict disrupts the usual processes of cultivating, harvesting, selling, and transporting crops, affecting not only the Ukrainian economy but also the nutritional needs of nations worldwide.
It's crucial to recognize that disruptions in agricultural markets due to conflict can have severe implications, potentially leading to global food price increases and heightened hunger levels. As a seasoned expert in the field, I emphasize the interconnectedness of global food systems and the urgent need for diplomatic solutions to protect the stability of these vital supply chains.
