Agricultural production in Ukraine in H1 decreases by almost 19%

Agricultural production in Ukraine in the first half (H1) of 2020 decreased by 18.7% compared to the same period last year.

Crop production fell by 56.8%, while livestock production dropped by 2.2%, Ukraine's Ministry for Development of Economy, Trade and Agriculture said in its economic review for H1 2020.

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In June 2020 alone, there was a significant reduction in agricultural production – by 40.6% year-on-year.

The ministry says the main cause behind the reduction in crop production was a decrease in trading partner countries' demand for agricultural products over the coronavirus-related quarantine, coupled with low yields of key agricultural crops compared to last year.

The decline in livestock production is explained by the high cost of raising cattle, as well as the adaptation of enterprises, in particular, poultry meat producers, to new economic conditions.