Wine production in Ukraine: Challenges, opportunities today

The relevance of the study is driven by the need to overcome the challenges facing Ukraine’s viticulture and wine production sectors, such as the lack of consistent state policy, high tax barriers, competition with imported products, and the negative impact of military actions, to ensure their sustainable development and recovery. The study aimed to analyse current trends in Ukrainian viticulture and wine production, identify key problems, and develop proposals for their resolution to stimulate the sector’s development in the context of European integration and wartime conditions. The research focused on assessing the current state of viticulture and wine production in Ukraine using statistical methods to analyse production indicators and structural changes in the sector. The study revealed a significant reduction in the area of fruit-bearing vineyards and a decrease in grape production from 1990 to 2023. It was found that military actions led to additional losses of vineyards and winemaking capacities, negatively impacting the sector’s development. Structural changes in the winemaking industry were also analysed, and their implications for the national economy were summarised. Despite the difficulties, there has been a growing interest in Ukrainian wine in the domestic market and the beginning of export recovery from 2014 to 2023, indicating the potential for the sector’s recovery and growth. The study’s results can be used by government authorities and entrepreneurs to develop policies supporting viticulture and wine production, aimed at reducing import dependency and increasing the competitiveness of Ukrainian wine products