The State of Ukraine's Agricultural Land Market
Since the moratorium on farmland sales was lifted, over 1 million hectares of agricultural land have been sold in Ukraine. By March 3, 2026, a total of 334,803 purchase and sale agreements had been concluded, demonstrating significant market activity. The average price per hectare at the start of 2026 reached 64,631 UAH, or $1,501 USD, representing a 96% increase in the hryvnia equivalent since the moratorium was ended on July 1, 2021.
Despite this activity, the volume of land brought to market accounts for only 3% of the nation's total agricultural land area, a figure in line with conservative European benchmarks. According to expert Dmytro Makarenko,
"The land market has not operated under fully peaceful conditions for a single year, given the ongoing aggression against Ukraine, meaning the transaction volumes could have been significantly higher."The war has inevitably constrained the market's potential growth.
Regional Breakdown of Transaction Activity
The highest number of deals were recorded in the following regions:
- Sumy Oblast – 32,396
- Poltava Oblast – 31,478
- Vinnytsia Oblast – 27,970
Conversely, the lowest activity was observed in:
- Volyn Oblast – 1,307
- Rivne Oblast – 1,352
- Zaporizhzhia Oblast – 2,479
The most active buyers are currently in the Poltava, Vinnytsia, and Kyiv regions.
In summary, Ukraine's agricultural land market continues to develop despite significant challenges. The high level of transactional activity and rising prices point to growing interest in this sector, though the actual volume of land traded remains limited by external factors. The increasing market momentum suggests a gradual recovery of interest in the agricultural sphere, even amidst wartime conditions. The low percentage of land that has entered the market underscores the need for implementing additional mechanisms to stimulate trade and attract investment, which could be a crucial step for ensuring food security and developing the nation's agro-sector.