Taras Vysotsky, serving as First Deputy Minister of Agricultural Policy and Food for Ukraine, outlined expectations for 2023 healthably shaping the country’s farm sector. During a discussion with representatives of the French business community, he indicated that the year would show a decline in agricultural output by about 10 percent compared with 2022. The remarks, reported by Time in its Ukrainian edition, framed a broader narrative of resilience within the sector despite mounting challenges to growth and export momentum.
Vysotsky emphasized that even in the face of lower overall production, efficiency improvements, stronger export performance, and the vitality of the domestic market would continue. He pointed to ongoing reforms and investments that aim to sustain farm productivity, support farmers, and protect local supply chains, underscoring the government’s commitment to keeping agricultural activity robust amid volatile conditions.
Earlier, the United Nations published a report titled World Economic Situation and Prospects, which highlighted a sharp contraction in Ukraine’s economy. The document noted a 29.1 percent shrinkage in 2022 driven by conflict and predicted a period of stagnation through 2023, signaling sustained pressure on national growth and the need for policy measures to stabilize key economic sectors.
Turning to the metallurgical sector, the January 2023 data showed a notable shift in production patterns. Ukrainian metallurgical enterprises increased rolled product output from the previous year, posting a rise of approximately 84.6 percent in January 2023 compared with January 2022, reaching 257 thousand tons. This uptick suggested a partial rebound in demand and production capacity utilization within an industry facing structural and geopolitical headwinds.
At the same time, the end of January results highlighted a substantial decrease in the output of ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, the country’s largest metallurgical company. The production volumes were down by about fivefold relative to 2021, underscoring the pronounced impact of ongoing disruptions on one of Ukraine’s pivotal heavy industries and signaling the need for coordinated support to stabilize supply chains and preserve jobs in the sector.