The Ukrainian Agri Forum (UAF), which includes leading specialized associations of the Ukrainian agricultural sector, including the Ukrainian Agri Council, has appealed to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to sign Law of Ukraine No. 12148 “On Amendments to the Section ”Final and Transitional Provisions“ of the Civil Code of Ukraine on Peculiarities of Lending and Financial Leasing during the Period of Martial Law” as soon as possible.

The law, adopted by the Verkhovna Rada on March 27, 2025, provides legal protection for agricultural producers who have lost the ability to conduct business due to hostilities, temporary occupation or destruction of enterprises. In particular, the document:

• prohibits the imposition of penalties (interest, fines, forfeits) for the period of martial law and for one year after its termination;
• provides for a deferral of loan repayments;
• prohibits the enforcement of collateral of farmers who have lost access to it as a result of hostilities or occupation.

According to a survey conducted in April 2025 by the Smart Country Analytical Center at the request of the Ukrainian Agri Council, the total loan portfolio of the surveyed enterprises is UAH 494.5 million. Of this amount, UAH 362.6 million is accounted for by enterprises in the temporarily occupied territories, and another UAH 131.9 million is accounted for by enterprises in the areas of active hostilities. Only 38% of respondents have been able to repay their loans in full. The rest of the farmers are still under financial pressure, with obligations that were taken before the full-scale invasion.

“This law is a real salvation for hundreds of farmers who refused to work under the occupation, lost their farms and homes, but are trying to revive their business in the government-controlled territories,” is mentioned in the statement says.

Agrarian associations emphasize that for the fourth year in a row, agricultural producers have been holding the economic and food front in the face of a full-scale war, and they expect a systematic settlement of the loan burden issue.

The appeal to the President of Ukraine has been signed by:

• Ukrainian Agrarian Forum
• Ukrainian Agri Council
• Agrarian Union of Ukraine
• Union of Poultry Breeders of Ukraine
• Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation
• Ukrainian Agribusiness Club
• Association of Milk Producers
• Association of Pig Breeders of Ukraine