On October 19, 2026, Ukraine's State Agrarian Register (DAR) resumed accepting applications from agricultural enterprises seeking critically important status. Applications had been temporarily suspended from October 12 to 18 while the system was updated. Agricultural businesses can now apply under the revised sector-specific criteria approved by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food's Order No. 11 of September 2, 2026.
The main changes concern farmland area and business revenue. The minimum agricultural land threshold has been reduced from 1,000 to 200 hectares, while the annual revenue threshold has fallen from UAH 40 million to UAH 20 million. The requirement for perennial crop plantations remains unchanged at at least 50 hectares. Lower thresholds may allow more small and medium-sized farms to qualify, provided they meet the other applicable requirements.
To obtain the status, an enterprise must meet at least two sector-specific criteria and satisfy mandatory conditions. These include an average employee salary of at least UAH 25,941 for the most recent calendar month and no outstanding tax or unified social contribution liabilities. The company's primary registered economic activity as of June 1 is also taken into account, along with its latest accepted payroll and tax reporting.
The Ministry of Agrarian Policy has confirmed that previously issued Ministry of Economy decisions granting critically important status remain valid until their scheduled expiry. Therefore, the resumption of applications does not automatically cancel existing approvals. Agricultural enterprises are advised to verify their eligibility before submitting documents. Critically important status provides a basis for employee mobilisation exemptions, but it does not automatically exempt an enterprise's entire workforce.
Original source: State Agrarian Register of Ukraine — official announcement dated October 19, 2026.