Power outages and labor shortages: Economy Ministry outlines key challenges for agriculture

Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture Taras Vysotskyi told Ukrinform in a comment.

“The war has also brought challenges for the agricultural sector. Beyond the energy crisis, logistics have become more complicated, with port infrastructure under attack, which in turn raises the cost of logistics and product shipments,” he noted.

According to the official, the shortage of labor remains a serious factor. “People are a critical resource. Many have gone to defend our country, and there is a constant deficit of highly qualified workers. Some have emigrated or been forced to relocate,” Vysotskyi explained.

He also highlighted the impact of electricity outages on agricultural enterprises. “Power cuts are applied to the agricultural sector and farmworkers, meaning electricity supply is restricted. In extreme cold, access to stable electricity is even lower. This forces more intensive reliance on generators,” the deputy minister said.

He added that the cost of electricity generated by diesel units is higher, which affects the final price of agricultural products.

“Working in low temperatures, caring for animals and plants under these conditions is also more difficult. However, at present this is not critical in terms of adaptation. In the short term, farmers have adjusted,” Vysotskyi stressed.

At the same time, he emphasized the resilience of Ukrainian farmers.

“Ukrainian farmers have shown resilience and determination, consistently sowing and harvesting each year to safeguard food security domestically and abroad. Ukraine remains a stable exporter of agri-food products and continues to play this role,” he said.

The official underlined that Ukrainians can be confident in food supply. “Ukrainians can be assured they will have access to quality domestic agri-food products. The sector is resilient, continues to operate, and every effort is being made to withstand and further develop,” Vysotskyi concluded.

As reported, no sharp increase in prices for staple vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, onions, and beets is expected in 2026.