Ukrainian Farmers Gear Up for Increased Export Amid Expanded Cultivation
Farmers in Ukraine’s Mykolaiv region are poised for a significant leap in vegetable production, with plans to bolster exports to international markets. Yuriy Kormyshkin, head of a prominent local agricultural enterprise, revealed these developments to reporters, highlighting a substantial expansion in cultivation areas.
In 2024, the region has witnessed a remarkable surge in fruit and vegetable cultivation, expanding from 300 hectares in the previous year to an impressive 2,000 hectares. This strategic growth marks a shift from predominantly domestic sales in recent years, aimed at stabilizing prices and bolstering food security, to now exporting approximately 30% of the harvest to countries such as Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, Macedonia, and others.
Diverse vegetables including cabbage, onions, carrots, potatoes, beets, zucchini, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, eggplants, Chinese cabbage, pumpkins, watermelons, and melons are thriving across local farms. Greenhouse cultivation further supports year-round production of crops like radishes, cucumbers, and tomatoes, utilizing varieties with staggered ripening periods to ensure a continuous supply of fresh produce throughout the agricultural season. Notably, successful dual harvests were achieved last year, underscoring the region’s agricultural prowess.
As of now, robust carrot and onion seedlings are thriving, while potato crops continue their maturation unabated by a brief cold spell in May. Utilizing advanced irrigation techniques such as drip irrigation and sprinkler systems on irrigated lands, the region currently dedicates over 30,000 hectares to vegetable cultivation, ensuring optimal growth conditions and sustainable agricultural practices.
