The impact of economic crisis on vegetable production in Ukraine: perspectives and analysis

Abstract

The agro-industrial complex of Ukraine was one of the few sectors of the economy that demonstrated relatively stable functioning despite significant financial development challenges during the war. Drawing on Ukrainian food traditions and fertile lands, vegetable farming is highly developed, constituting about 20% of Ukraine's total agricultural production. The onset of full-scale war in Ukraine presented challenges for vegetable producers, necessitating intensified efforts to maintain production capacity and exploit development potential amidst economic instability. Based on statistical data analysis, the article demonstrates that Ukrainian agriculture flourished in the pre-war period, and Ukrainian vegetable producers gained a positive reputation in international markets, supported by consistent growth in export volumes. However, analysis of financial indicators of key Ukrainian vegetable producers reveals issues in profit generation and overall operational efficiency, highlighting the objective need to strengthen the financial position of domestic producers. Opportunities and threats for the development of Ukrainian vegetable producers were identified using SWOT analysis, indicating that the industry's future development will largely depend on the dynamics of military conflicts, while domestic vegetable producers possess substantial financial, technological, human, and resource potential.