Since the beginning of the war and the destruction of agricultural lands in Kherson by Russia, farms in the southern part of Odesa have been supplying fresh vegetable produce throughout the entire Ukraine.
However, the journey from farm to consumer is lengthy, inevitably reflecting the final cost of the produce. Valeriy Uzun, a farmer from the Izmail district, talks about the problems modern farmers face.
With six greenhouses spanning a total area of 25 acres, Uzun grows various crops such as sweet peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, and zucchini. Early cabbage had already been planted in the ground. A bountiful harvest of radish is anticipated soon, facilitated by favourable weather conditions.
Heating greenhouse expenses are increasing every year. Additionally, rising seed prices amplify production costs.
Even transitioning to organic production becomes a challenge due to the high cost of fertilizers. The rising labor costs and labor shortages further complicate the situation.
Added to this are winter blizzards that caused significant damage to the greenhouses, forcing the farmer to spend additional funds on repairs.
Despite the high demand for produce, farmers remain vulnerable to middlemen who dictate prices without considering producers' costs.
Uzun plans to review his investments and profits after the season and may reduce the volume of vegetable cultivation and the area of heating territories.
Source: yug.today