Ukrainian farmers, especially those who are in frontline and border regions, currently work at their own risk and often do not have access to loans or insurance. Without state guarantees, small and medium-sized farms cannot invest in development and maintain their production capacity.

This was stated on the air of “Yedyny Novyny” by Denys Marchuk, the UAC Deputy Chairman:

"Farmers in frontline areas install equipment at their own expense, in particular electronic warfare systems, which can jam signals and partially protect agricultural machinery. This is a private initiative by producers, as they are trying to work their fields more safely. However, such activities are carried out entirely at their own risk. No one will compensate them for any losses or economic damage they may incur."

To solve this problem, a mechanism of state financial guarantees is needed to enable producers to continue their work.

"One of the issues that the UAC plans to work on in 2026 is the introduction of state financial guarantees for farmers. This will allow producers to obtain loans even if they are temporarily unable to make payments, as the state will act as a guarantor. We insist that this program should at least cover the frontline and frontline territories, where people are struggling the most," said the UAC Deputy Chairman.

There are sufficient opportunities to implement such financial guarantees, but political will is needed.

"There is no shortage of partners, but there is a lack of political will to provide guarantees. Despite the problems and shelling, farmers want to work. Another issue is the lack of resources. For example, the UAC provides fertilizers and seeds to its members who have encountered problems at the expense of other members from central and western Ukraine. However, this cannot be a national policy because the UAC is a public organization. If the state acted as a guarantor to banks, it would significantly strengthen cooperation between farmers and financial institutions," believes Denys Marchuk.

In addition to production problems, agribusiness also has marketing problems. Recently, an artificial barrier to the export of oilseeds was created in the center of the country.

A law was passed imposing a 10% duty on soybean and rapeseed exports. It stipulated that producers or cooperatives (those grow their own products) could export them duty-free. However, after the law came into force, it became clear that there were no written rules on how to regulate this at customs. As a result, exports of soybeans and rapeseed have been effectively blocked for over a month. Ships are idle, and businesses are incurring huge losses amounting to millions of dollars. The UAC continues to work with the Ministry of Economy, Ecology, and Agriculture to develop regulations that will define the package of documents required to confirm own production. This will allow those who have grown their own products to sell them without paying customs duties," added Denys Marchuk.