Switzerland will provide CHF 3 million to support temporary storage of Ukrainian grain and oilseeds. The funding will be allocated to a project implemented by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Its goal is to help Ukraine preserve its harvest amid restricted export capacity and support farmers in preparing for the next production season.
One of the main instruments will be plastic grain sleeves, which can store harvested crops for several months. These solutions allow additional storage capacity to be deployed quickly without constructing permanent grain storage facilities. Demand for temporary storage has increased due to disruptions to maritime exports and risks affecting port and agricultural infrastructure. According to the Ukrainian side, up to 30 million tonnes of agricultural products could be at risk due to current logistics constraints.
The programme also provides separate support for small farms, for which large grain sleeves may not be practical because of lower production volumes. These producers will be able to receive assistance with purchasing seeds, fertilizers and fuel ahead of the next planting season. Ukraine has proposed coordinating the distribution of support through the State Agrarian Register, which is already collecting information on farmers’ temporary storage needs.
Swiss funding complements other international assistance programmes. In August, Ukraine’s partners had already confirmed around $10.5 million for temporary crop storage, while the government was also working with the World Bank on attracting an additional $25 million. Separately, Switzerland plans to provide CHF 6 million for the development of Ukraine’s organic sector over the next three years. International assistance is therefore aimed not only at preserving the current harvest but also at maintaining agricultural production in future seasons.