Ukraine Leads in Grain Yields and Affordable Land Rent: Results of a Global Study
07.11.2025
Introduction
Agrohub, in partnership with Syngenta, conducted a large-scale agricultural production study covering 2021–2023. The analysis included 24 agricultural companies managing over 3.5 million hectares across 26 agro-climatic regions.
The research shows that Ukraine demonstrates significant advantages — one of the highest grain yields among the studied countries and lower land lease costs.
Crop Yields: Ukraine Takes the Lead
Ukraine achieved the following average yields:
- Winter wheat — 6 t/ha
- Corn — 9.1 t/ha
- Sunflower — 2.9 t/ha
- Rapeseed — 3.6 t/ha
For comparison:
- Argentina — wheat 3.5 t/ha, corn 6.9 t/ha, sunflower 2.1 t/ha.
- Canada — wheat 2.8 t/ha, rapeseed 1.8 t/ha.
Thus, Ukrainian yields remain significantly higher than in many other agricultural countries.
Production Costs: Balanced and Efficient
According to the research, the main cost components — land, fertilizers, and field operations — are similar across regions.
In 2023, Ukrainian production costs were approximately $1,062/ha for wheat and $1,285/ha for corn.
In Argentina, they were slightly lower — $890/ha for wheat and $1,114/ha for corn.
However, higher spending does not always translate into better yields. The study emphasizes the importance of an optimal ratio between cost per hectare and yield efficiency.
In terms of EBIT ($/ha), Ukraine ranks on par with Canada and Australia for wheat and even outperforms several countries for corn.
Land Lease: Ukraine Offers Competitive Terms
Ukraine’s land lease conditions are among the most favorable globally:
- Average lease term — about 10 years, ensuring long-term planning stability.
- Average lease rate — around $155/ha, compared to $327/ha in Argentina and $220/ha in Australia.
This makes the Ukrainian agricultural sector more accessible and attractive for investors and producers.
Challenges and Prospects
Despite strong performance, the study highlights several challenges shared across global agribusiness: logistics issues, labor shortages, and climate change.
Additionally, Ukraine’s land market is becoming increasingly saturated — with fewer available plots for lease or purchase.
Conclusion
The Agrohub and Syngenta research confirms that Ukraine holds strong competitive advantages in global agriculture: high productivity and affordable land rent.
When combined with efficient cost management, these factors make Ukraine one of the most promising destinations for agricultural investment. However, addressing structural challenges remains crucial to fully unlock the sector’s potential.