Russian strikes and blockade won't trigger food shortage – minister

He stated that Ukraine currently faces no food shortages, as domestic production volumes remain sufficient to meet national consumption needs.

He noted that the primary challenge at the moment is managing logistics.

“The traditional model of ‘manufacturer – large warehouse – retail outlet’ has been disrupted or rendered completely unviable in many cases,” Vysotsky said. “While new approaches are still being developed, they rely on models like direct-to-retail or utilizing smaller, decentralized warehouses. These methods drive up logistics costs, require additional trucks and drivers, and extend delivery times.” 

“It is these logistics challenges that could lead to temporary product shortages or reduced variety on store shelves.”

The agriculture minister listed the products for which Ukraine is fully self-sufficient:

• Grain, flour, and baked goods: Ukraine produces over 24 million metric tons of wheat, vastly exceeding its domestic consumption of approximately 6 million metric tons – only 3 to 3.5 million metric tons required to meet the country's food needs
• Grains and groats: Wheat, barley, oats, buckwheat, and corn groats are produced in quantities that vastly exceed domestic demand
• Vegetables: potatoes, carrots, beets, onions, and cabbage
• Export staples: Sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs are produced in high enough quantities to be actively exported, with vegetable oil production exceeding domestic consumption nearly tenfold
• Pork
• Poultry: Ukraine produces nearly 1.4 million metric tons of chicken per year, easily covering its domestic consumption of 908,000 metric tons

Vysotsky listed several products for which Ukraine relies on imports:

• Exotic and citrus fruits
• Coffee and cocoa beans
• Ocean and saltwater fish
• Rice: It is grown only in small quantities domestically
• Salt: Ukraine's primary deposits are located in temporarily occupied territories

“The balance for dairy products is roughly neutral,” Vysotsky said, explaining that while Ukraine imports more cheese, it exports more butter, powdered milk, and condensed milk. “However, even in the complete absence of imports, basic demand for dairy products would be met.”

He noted that a shortage is most likely to occur with fresh fruits and vegetables because they are highly perishable and must be sold quickly.

“They have a relatively short shelf life and require significant space during transport,” Vysotsky concluded. “This category includes fresh and chilled items sold on ice, such as fresh meat or fish. There are no such risks associated with other goods.”

The National Bank of Ukraine previously forecast a slight additional rise in consumer prices due to Russian strikes on the country's logistical networks.