Flooding and restricted access to water due to the explosion of the Kakhovka hydro power station will have a very negative impact on agricultural production in southern Ukraine, especially in grain and vegetable sectors.

"Even before the war, Kherson and Zaporizhia regions were very dependent on water supply, on the use of the North Crimean and Kakhovka canals, which allowed them to grow grain, vegetables, and develop livestock. In southern Ukraine, about 500,000 hectares of agricultural land are under irrigation. If access to water is cut off due to the destruction of the Kakhovka HPS, it will be impossible to ensure the full cultivation of a number of crops in the current climate conditions. In this context, Ukraine is losing 14% of its agricultural production, or more than 3 million tons of grain grown in the south. Accordingly, this jeopardizes the world's food security, as a shortfall in grain from the southern regions will reduce Ukraine's export potential. The markets have already partially reacted to the news with a partial increase in wheat prices, about 3%," commented Denys Marchuk, Deputy Chairman of the UAC.

The restoration of the agricultural sector in the southern regions has already been complicated by the need for demining. From now on, the negative consequences of the strike on the Kakhovka HPS will lead to catastrophic losses in the industry, and it will take years to recover.

"Farmers in the south have been investing in irrigation and livestock for years, and Russia has destroyed everything for a year. The occupiers will soon run away from scorched territory, and Ukraine will be forced to restore agricultural production. Until we rebuild Kakhovka HPS, we will not be able to supply water to the agricultural sector of the region, Kherson, Zaporizhia and partially Dnipropetrovsk region will suffer enormous losses," added the UAC Deputy Chairman.

The explosion of Kakhovka HPS has got negative impact on vegetables production.

"Kherson region is specialized in growing vegetables. Before the war, more than 35% of borsch vegetables were supplied to the domestic market of Ukraine from Kherson region. Vegetable growing is one hundred percent dependent on irrigation, and the destruction of the Kakhovka HPS has had catastrophic consequences for the vegetable group," said Denys Marchuk.

According to his words, Ukrainian vegetable production now needs to be diversified even more urgently. Producers from the Central and Western parts of Ukraine have already started to grow more vegetables this season, but this is not enough for domestic demand.  Small farmers who have got access to water will likely begin to specialize even more in vegetables to meet demand and prevent price increases.