Climate change is becoming a serious challenge for the agricultural sector in Ukraine, especially in the southern regions of the country. According to the State Agency for Land Reclamation and Fishery, rising temperatures, decreasing precipitation, and the spread of desertification are causing more frequent and intense droughts, which require rapid adaptation in the agricultural sphere.
The average air temperature in the southern part of Ukraine has increased by 1-1.5°C over the past hundred years, which is 2.5 times higher than the average global indicators. This problem is becoming increasingly relevant for the country. There are also issues with water balance, especially in the Odesa region, where evaporation exceeds precipitation.
In response to these challenges, water supply volumes for irrigation show record figures. Overall, 2025 has already become a record year for irrigation water supply over the last ten years.
Candidate of Geographic Sciences Vera Balabukh emphasized that global warming has a serious impact on Ukrainian agriculture, threatening the cultivation of traditional vegetables such as potatoes, cabbage, and cucumbers.
Climate change in Ukraine poses a challenge for the agricultural sector, particularly in southern regions where rising temperatures and changes in water balance lead to more frequent droughts, requiring adaptation in agriculture. These changes are already having a significant impact on the cultivation of traditional vegetables, posing serious problems for agricultural enterprises and farmers in the country.