Agricultural producers in Ukraine's Mykolaiv region have significantly expanded their vegetable production, with a portion plans to export. Yuriy Kormyshkin, the head of a local agricultural enterprise, shared this update with journalists.
In 2024, the area dedicated to fruit and vegetable cultivation has increased to 2,000 hectares compared to 300 hectares the previous year. From 2022 to 2023, nearly all produce was directed to the domestic market to stabilize prices and ensure the country's food security. This year, improved circumstances resulting from the enlargement of vegetable cultivation areas permit exporting approximately 30% of the harvest to countries like Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, Macedonia, and others.
Presently, farmers cultivate a diverse array of vegetables, including cabbage, onions, carrots, potatoes, beets, zucchini, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, eggplants, Chinese cabbage, pumpkins, watermelons, and melons. Additionally, radishes, cucumbers, and tomatoes are grown in greenhouse facilities. Selecting varieties with different ripening periods enables the sale of fresh vegetables throughout the agricultural season. Last year, two harvests were successfully gathered within one season.
At the moment, farms boast healthy carrot and onion seedlings, with potatoes continuing to ripen. A temporary cold spell in May had no adverse effects on the plants; they display robust fruit sets and steady growth, promising a fruitful harvest.
Vegetable cultivation is conducted on irrigated lands utilizing drip irrigation and sprinkler machines. Currently, over 30,000 hectares are dedicated to vegetable cultivation in the Mykolaiv region.
Source: ukrinform.ua