Agriculture and food in Ukraine

Agriculture in Ukraine

Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It borders Russia to the east and north, Belarus to the north, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to the west, Romania, and Moldova to the south, and has a coastline along the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov to the south-west. Ukraine covers an area of 603,628 km2 (233,062 sq mi), making it the second-largest country by area in Europe after Russia. Only 35% of Ukraine's land is arable, while agricultural production accounts for only 8% of its GDP and 17% of its exports. The country has significant deposits of coal, iron ore, natural gas, oil, salt, sulfur, bauxite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, and manganese. Ukraine is home to the world's third-largest reserves of molybdenum and tungsten, and fifth-largest of coal. As of 1 January 2016, the population of Ukraine was 42,416,000. The country's population is the eighth-largest in Europe. Ukraine's capital and largest city is Kiev. Other major urban areas include Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Lviv, Odesa, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Kryvyi Rih. The territory of modern Ukraine has been inhabited since 32,000 BC. During the Middle Ages, the area was a key center of East Slavic culture, with the powerful state of Kievan Rus' forming the basis of Ukrainian identity. Following its fragmentation in the 13th century, the territory was contested, ruled, and divided by a variety of powers, including Lithuania, Poland, Austria-Hungary, and Russia. A Cossack republic emerged and prospered during the 17th and 18th centuries but was later destroyed by the Russian Empire. The USSR annexed Ukrainian territory twice in the 20th century: in 1919 as part of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk that ended World War I, and again in 1945 at the end of World War II. After the war, Ukraine became a republic within the USSR and experienced a period of Russification. In 1954, the Crimean Peninsula was transferred from Russia to Ukraine. In 1991, Ukraine gained its independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Before its independence, Ukraine was typically referred to in English as "The Ukraine". Following independence, Ukrainian national identity was severely undermined by a denial of ethnic Ukrainian history and culture by the Soviet government, as well as open Russification. The Ukrainian language was also suppressed in favor of Russian. The policy of de-Ukrainization began with Tsar Alexander III's Emancipation Reform of 1861. It continued under Lenin who promoted anti-Ukrainian sentiment and policies to undermine Ukrainian identity. The forced collectivization of agriculture under Stalin's rule also brought famine throughout much of the country. In the years leading up to World War II, policies such as these caused a sharp decline in the number of ethnic Ukrainians who were able to speak their native language and identify themselves as Ukrainian. The landscape of Ukraine is varied. There are plains, steppes, and mountains. The Carpathian Mountains run through the country from west to east. The highest point in Ukraine is Mount Hoverla, which is 2,061 meters tall. Ukraine has a continental climate. The average temperature in January is -6 degrees Celsius and the average temperature in July is 20 degrees Celsius. The economy of Ukraine is based on agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and tourism. The main crops grown in Ukraine are wheat, corn, and sugar beets. The country is also a major producer of coal and iron ore. Tourism is an important industry in Ukraine. The country has many beautiful old churches and castles. It also has several beaches on the Black Sea. Ukraine is one of the most biodiverse countries in Europe, with over 10,000 different species of plants and animals. This diversity is due to a variety of factors, including Ukraine's large size, its location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and its varied landscape. Ukraine is home to several endemic species, such as the Ukrainian leshy (a type of forest spirit), the Crimean Tatar wall lizard, and the Carpathian Newt. The country also has a large number of endangered species, including the European bison, the golden eagle, and the Ukrainian sturgeon. Ukraine is working to protect its biodiversity through a variety of measures, including the creation of nature reserves and national parks, the regulation of hunting and fishing, and the promotion of sustainable forestry. Despite these efforts, Ukraine's biodiversity is still under threat from a number of factors, including habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. In order to protect its unique natural heritage, Ukraine needs to continue its efforts to conserve and sustainably manage its resources. The economy of Ukraine is an emerging free market. Like other post-Soviet states, its gross domestic product fell sharply for 10 years following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. However, it grew rapidly from 2000 until the global financial crisis in 2008, when GDP declined by around 15%. Since then, the Ukrainian economy has been struggling due to political turmoil and conflict in the eastern part of the country. In 2013, Ukraine was ranked as the 34th most economically free economy in the world, and the 46th by Heritage Foundation. In April 2014, Ukraine's GDP was $176.6 billion, and its GDP per capita was $3,458. The country's economy recovered in 2014 and 2015, as GDP growth reached 6.6% and 7.5%, respectively. However, the economy was still facing significant challenges, such as high levels of corruption, limited rule of law, low levels of domestic and foreign investment, and a need for structural reforms. The Ukrainian economy is largely driven by the export of steel and agricultural products. The country's main trading partners are Russia, the European Union, China, and Turkey. In 2016, Ukraine was the world's sixth-largest producer of grain and the world's seventh-largest producer of corn. The country is also a large producer of sunflower seeds, sugar beets, and meat (particularly pork and chicken). The service sector is the largest sector of Ukraine's economy, accounting for 56.3% of GDP in 2016. Other important sectors of the Ukrainian economy include industry (27.8% of GDP) and agriculture (16.0% of GDP). The main industries in Ukraine include mining, metallurgy, chemicals, machinery, and food processing. The main agricultural products of Ukraine are grain, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, meats (particularly pork and chicken), and dairy products. In 2016, the unemployment rate in Ukraine was 9.1%. The average monthly wage was $154 in 2016. The poverty rate in Ukraine was 16.7% in 2016. In 2018, the Ukrainian economy is projected to grow by 3.4%. The inflation rate is expected to be 9.0%. The unemployment rate is forecast to remain at 9.1%. Ukraine's agricultural industry plays a significant role in the country's economy, contributing around 10% to its GDP. The sector employs nearly a quarter of the country's workforce and is a major exporter of food products, particularly grains. In recent years, Ukrainian agriculture has been struggling due to a number of factors, including corruption, poor infrastructure, and lack of investment. However, the industry has shown signs of recovery in recent years, thanks to government support and increased foreign investment. Ukraine is one of the world's leading producers of grain, with a harvest of around 65 million tonnes in 2017. The country is also a major producer of sunflower oil and sugar. Other important agricultural products include meat, dairy products, and vegetables. The Ukrainian government has been working to improve the country's agricultural sector, with a focus on increasing productivity and competitiveness. In 2015, the government launched an ambitious program to boost the sector's growth, including investments in infrastructure and support for farmers. Despite challenges, the future of Ukrainian agriculture looks promising, with the potential to become a major player in the global food market. The agricultural industry in Ukraine has a significant impact on the country's economy, contributing around 10% to its GDP. The sector employs nearly a quarter of the country's workforce and is a major exporter of food products, particularly grains. In recent years, Ukrainian agriculture has been struggling due to a number of factors, including corruption, poor infrastructure, and lack of investment. However, the industry has shown signs of recovery in recent years, thanks to government support and increased foreign investment. Ukraine is one of the world's leading producers of grain, with a harvest of around 65 million tonnes in 2017. The country is also a major producer of sunflower oil and sugar. Other important agricultural products include meat, dairy products, and vegetables. The Ukrainian government has been working to improve the country's agricultural sector, with a focus on increasing productivity and competitiveness. In 2015, the government launched an ambitious program to boost the sector's growth, including investments in infrastructure and support for farmers. Despite challenges, the future of Ukrainian agriculture looks promising, with the potential to become a major player in the global food market. The culture of Ukraine is diverse and unique, with influences from both Eastern and Western Europe. Ukrainian culture has been shaped by its history, geography, and traditions. Ukrainian music is rich and varied, with influences from both Eastern and Western Europe. Traditional Ukrainian music includes folk songs, dances, and instruments such as the bandura (a type of lute) and the kobza (a type of fiddle). Ukrainian folk music was traditionally used for storytelling, and it continues to be an important part of Ukrainian culture. Ukrainian dance is another important part of Ukrainian culture. Traditional dances include the hopak, which is a lively dance that is often performed at weddings, and the kolomyjka, which is a slower, more graceful dance. Ukrainian dance is often performed in traditional costumes, and it is a popular form of entertainment at Ukrainian festivals and celebrations. Ukraine has a long tradition of visual arts, ranging from the prehistoric cave paintings of the Borshchiv region to the contemporary art of the Kyiv-based artist Yuriy Kozyrev. Ukrainian art is characterized by its use of bright colors and its focus on the human figure. Traditional Ukrainian arts and crafts include embroidery, pottery, and icon painting. Ukraine is also home to a rich literary tradition, with some of the country's most famous writers including Taras Shevchenko, Mikhail Bulgakov, and Lesya Ukrainka. Ukrainian literature often deals with themes of national identity and the experience of living in a post-Soviet state. Ukraine is a country with a diverse religious landscape. The most widespread religion in the country is Orthodox Christianity, which is practiced by both the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate) and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kiev Patriarchate. There are also significant numbers of Greek Catholic, Roman Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim believers in Ukraine. Orthodox Christianity is the predominant religion in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) is the largest Orthodox church in the country, with approximately 28% of Ukrainians belonging to this denomination. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kiev Patriarchate (UOC-KP) is the second largest Orthodox church in Ukraine, with approximately 18% of Ukrainians belonging to this denomination. The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is the third largest Christian church in Ukraine, with approximately 10% of Ukrainians belonging to this denomination. The Jewish community in Ukraine is estimated to number around 80,000 people. Islam is the fourth largest religion in Ukraine, with approximately 1% of the population being Muslim. There is also a small number of Buddhists, Hindus, and other religious groups present in Ukraine.