Page 100 - UKRRptDec23

about $60,000. Real estate prices here have increased by an average of 20% in dollar terms. The main reason for this is that there are rarely rocket attacks and there is no curfew in Uzhgorod, market experts say. Meanwhile, the price of apartments has decreased almost throughout Ukraine. In Kyiv, apartments that sold for $70,000 in 2021 can now be purchased for $55,000-$60,000. If calculated in hryvnias, in 2021, the price was ₴1.9 million ($70,000), and in 2023 it is almost ₴2.6 million ($60,000). Therefore, prices in dollar terms fell, but in hryvnias, they increased significantly. This situation has been observed almost everywhere except for Uzhhorod. In particular, construction costs have increased, which is why apartment prices, especially in new buildings, have increased significantly.
9.1.5 Retail sector news
9.1.6 Agriculture sector news
A third of agricultural enterprises in Ukraine have closed due to the war.The situation that has developed in Ukraine and the world is unfavorable for Ukrainian farm producers, who are forced to cease their activities, said the general director of the Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation, Pavlo Koval. He noted the sharp reduction of Ukrainian enterprises: "We knew that many things would go wrong. But we did not expect a third of farm enterprises, the forestry industry, and fisheries to leave the market." He also expects that by the end of the grain year, another 10-20% will follow the same path. Small producers are the most affected, while large companies have significant financial cushions that have enabled them to survive. However, according to Koval, if everything remains the same next year, the consequences may also become critical for them. Koval continued by saying that the problems created by the Russian invasion are so numerous that it is impossible to enumerate them. These issues include mined fields, mobilization of workers, shortage of financial resources, low grain prices, and high logistics costs.
Due to the war, about 20% of agricultural land is unusable compared to 2021, said Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy Taras Vysotskyi.
Ukraine’s agrarians oppose further reform of the land market. Agrarians called on the parliament to postpone increased land sale limits starting January 1, 2024. The sale of land to big business should be suspended for the duration of the war and two years after its end. Until January 1, 2024, only Ukrainian natural persons have the right to purchase agricultural land. The limit is no more than 100 hectares in "one hand." Beginning in 2024, legal entities will also be allowed to buy land. From that moment on, another limitation will be placed on everyone - no more than 10,000 hectares. According to the chairman of the All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council, Andrii Dykun, the average agribusiness is not against land reform and the presence of legal entities on the market, but agrarians are against increasing the limits for the sale of land "in the same hands" in wartime conditions.
The sowing of winter wheat in Ukraine exceeds domestic demand by three times as of November. Therefore, there will be no threats to food security for Ukraine in 2024, Deputy Minister of Agricultural Policy Taras Vysotskyi said.
100 UKRAINE Country Report December 2023 www.intellinews.com