Farmers in the Mykolaiv region harvested 800,000 tonnes more grain than last year

Agricultural work in the Mykolaiv region. Illustrative photo: NikVesti

In 2026, 2.8 million tonnes of grain were harvested in the Mykolaiv region — 800,000 tonnes more than last year. However, due to low purchase prices and export difficulties, farmers are finding it hard to sell their crops.

This was reported by Volodymyr Afanasiev, chief specialist of the agro-industrial production division within the Department of Agro-Industrial Development of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration, during a briefing on 11 November, according to NikVesti.

According to preliminary estimates by the regional administration, the total volume of agricultural production has risen by 32 per cent compared with last year. The main growth came from crop production.

«In terms of actual production figures, the figures were as follows: 2.8 million tonnes of grain were harvested, which is 800,000 tonnes more than last year,» said Volodymyr Afanasiev.

The region also harvested 600,000 tonnes of sunflowers, 140,000 tonnes of potatoes, 15,000 tonnes of fruit and 17,000 tonnes of grapes.

Volodymyr Afanasiev explained that improved results were achieved thanks to soil cultivation techniques that help retain moisture. In addition, the area under winter crops has been increased by 40,000 hectares. These crops ripen earlier, before the start of the hottest period.

Despite the higher harvest, farms lack the funds to continue their operations. According to Volodymyr Afanasiev, due to problems with ports and falling purchase prices, farmers are unable to sell their produce to its full potential. At the same time, fuel and fertilisers are becoming more expensive.

«Despite having achieved a substantial harvest, the most pressing issue for farmers remains the sale of their produce,» said Volodymyr Afanasiev.

How did the previous season go?

In 2025, farmers in the Mykolaiv region harvested less of most major crops. According to the regional statistics office, the harvest of cereals and pulses totalled 2.04 million tonnes — 6.8 per cent less than the previous year. The average grain yield fell for the third year running: from 39.1 centner per hectare in 2023 to 29.1 centner in 2025.

The sunflower harvest saw the sharpest decline — to 385,000 tonnes, a fall of almost 51 per cent compared with 2024. Yields of vegetables, potatoes and fruit and berry crops were also lower.

This year, the harvest situation has improved, but farms have faced another problem — difficulties in selling their produce. In August, Volodymyr Afanasiev reported that purchase prices for wheat and barley had fallen from 9,000–11,000 to 5,000–7,000 hryvnias per tonne. Export opportunities were limited by Russian strikes on ports and damage to terminals.

Nadiia Ivanova, head of the seed farm, also spoke at the time about grain prices falling by more than 40 per cent over two to three weeks. At the same time, fuel prices were rising, and with them the cost of transporting grain to alternative export routes. Not everyone was able to store their harvest whilst waiting for better prices: some farmers did not have their own warehouses or grain silos, whilst some of the infrastructure had been damaged or destroyed by Russian attacks.

Subsequently, Taras Vysotskyi reported a 60 per cent reduction in Ukrainian farmers’ financial reserves. According to his estimates, at the start of the year, farms had around five billion dollars in available funds, but by 1 October this had fallen to around two billion. This shortage of funds may limit the purchase of fertilisers and plant protection products ahead of the spring sowing season in 2027.