Analysis of the effectiveness of bank credit instruments for agricultural enterprises in Ukraine

Leonid Tulush, Serhii Davydenko, Oleksii Muravskyi, Viktoriia Kostiuk, Serhiy Zabolotnyy
Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of impact of bank credit instruments on the financial stability, profitability, and production efficiency of agricultural enterprises in Ukraine. The study analysed the dynamics of bank lending to the agricultural sector in 2022-2024. The total volume of loans provided to agricultural enterprises decreased from UAH 118.9 billion in 2022 to UAH 104.5 billion in 2024. The share of preferential financing under the programme “Affordable Loans 5-7-9%” in 2024 was 46% (UAH 46.9 billion). The study analysed three leading companies – Myronivsky Hliboproduct, Kernel, and Astarta-Kyiv, which actively used bank loans and international financing to stabilise the activities, modernise production and expand export potential. Myronivsky Hliboproduct restored profitability: from a loss of USD 231 million in 2022 to a profit of USD 144 million in 2024. Astarta-Kyiv increased corn yield to 10.35 t/ha, sugar production by 34%, and revenue from agricultural production by 33%. Kernel attracted USD 150 million in syndicated financing, which ensured a 2.3-fold increase in exports in 2024. The study proved that bank loans acted not only as an anti-crisis mechanism, but also as a tool for increasing efficiency, modernisation, and adaptation of enterprises to high-risk conditions. The practical significance of the study laid in substantiating the effectiveness of bank credit instruments as an effective mechanism for supporting the agricultural sector in times of crisis challenges, and in the possibility of using the results obtained to improve state financing programmes

Keywords

financial support; digitalisation; investments; government support; export

Suggested citation
Tulush, L., Davydenko, S., Muravskyi, O., Kostiuk, V., & Zabolotnyy, S. (2026). Analysis of the effectiveness of bank credit instruments for agricultural enterprises in Ukraine. Economics and Business Management, 17(2), 9-27. https://doi.org/10.31548/economics/2.2026.09
References
  1. Agro Portal. (2024). Fitch affirmed MHP’s rating. Retrieved from https://agroportal.ua/news/novosti-kompanii/fitch-pidtverdilo-reyting-mhp.
  2. AgroOnline. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://latifundist.com/kompanii/1267-agroonline.
  3. Andros, S.V. (2024). Bank lending as an effective way to solving the problem of economic development of agricultural enterprises. Economic Journal Odessa Polytechnic University, 1(27), 5-17. doi: 10.15276/EJ.01.2024.1.
  4. APK Inform. (2023). MHP’s net loss for 2022 exceeded $230 million. Retrieved from https://www.apk-inform.com/uk/news/1533268.
  5. APK Inform. (2024). Astarte summed up the results of the harvesting campaign of late cultures. Retrieved from https://www.apk-inform.com/uk/news/1539280.
  6. Astarta Holding PLC. (2022). Annual report 2022. Retrieved from https://astartaholding.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/astarta-annual-report-2022-1.pdf.
  7. Astarta Holding PLC. (2023). Annual report 2023. Retrieved from https://astartaholding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/astarta_ar2023-2.pdf
  8. Astarta Holding PLC. (2024). Annual report 2024. Retrieved from https://astartaholding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2024-annual-report.pdf
  9. Astarta-Kyiv. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://astartaholding.com/.
  10. Aziz, S.A., Jayanthi, R., & Dinaseviani, A. (2024). The role of bank and startup fintech P2P lending in supporting financial credit for Indonesian farmers. Jurnal Perspektif Pembiayaan dan Pembangunan Daerah, 12(1), 47-66. doi: 10.22437/ppd.v12i1.23575.
  11. Bilochenko, A. (2023). Lending to the agricultural sector of Ukraine during the war. Economy and Society, 48, 15-22. doi: 10.32782/2524-0072/2023-48-3.
  12. Bizagro. (2025). Kernel reduced net profit by 44%. Retrieved from https://bizagro.com.ua/kernel-skorotyv-chystyj-prybutok-na-44/#google_vignette.
  13. BSTDB. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.bstdb.org/.
  14. Censor. (2024). Verevsky’s “Kernel” paid off $300 million in Eurobond debt. Retrieved from https://censor.net/biz/news/3515581/kernel_pogasyv_yevroobligatsiyi_na_300_milyioniv.
  15. Chyhryn, O., & Ivakhnenko, O. (2020). Bank lending to the agrarian sector of Ukraine economy. Galician Economic Journal, 64(3), 14-24. doi: 10.33108/galicianvisnyk_tntu2020.03.014.
  16. Deng, W., Ouyang, Z., Yang, G., & Xiao, S. (2023). The effectiveness of lending facilities in China – evidence from bank lending. China Economic Quarterly International, 3(1), 13-22. doi: 10.1016/j.ceqi.2023.02.001.
  17. DIA. (2023). IFC, EBRD and DFC to provide MHP with $480 million in debt refinancing and modernization loan. Retrieved from https://dia.dp.gov.ua/ifc-yebrr-ta-dfc-vidilyat-mxp-480-mln-kreditu-na-refinansuvannya-borgu-ta-modernizaciyu/.
  18. Ding, Z., Zhang, Q., & Tang, Y. (2024). Nexus between farmland transfer, agricultural loans, and grain production: Empirical evidence from China. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 8, article number 1229381. doi: 10.3389/fsufs.2024.1229381.
  19. Drone UA. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://drone.ua/.
  20. Forbes. (2025). Ten years of sustainability. How MHP – Gromadi unites businesses and government for community development. Retrieved from https://forbes.ua/ru/leadership/desyat-rokiv-stalosti-yak-mkhp-gromadi-obednue-biznesi-i-vladu-zaradi-rozvitku-gromad-10072025-30739.
  21. FRU. (2023). Astarta-Kyiv received a loan from Oschadbank for the construction of a factory. Retrieved from https://fru.ua/ua/media-center/news/fru/astarta-kyiv-otrimala-kredit-v-oshchadbanku-na-budivnitstvo-zavodu.
  22. Guru Focus. (2025). Astrata holding NV (FRA:Z6J) debt-to-equity. Retrieved from https://www.gurufocus.com/term/debt-to-equity/FRA:Z6J.
  23. Hamdaoui, H.E., & Cancelo, M. (2024). The influence of the banking sector on economic growth and commodity prices: A panel data analysis of Spain, France, and Romania. Commodities, 3(2), 168-181. doi: 10.3390/commodities3020011.
  24. Hu, C., Bo, N., & Zhao, Q. (2023). A study on the impact of rural finance on high-quality agricultural development in China – a test based on intermediation, threshold and spillover effects. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 11, article number 1217422. doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2023.1217422.
  25. ING Bank N.V. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ingwb.com/ua/merezha/emea/ukrayina.
  26. Interfax. (2023). World Bank approves $1.5 billion loan to advance Ukraine under Japanese guarantees. Retrieved from https://interfax.com.ua/news/economic/919953.html.
  27. Interfax. (2025). The World Bank will provide a $50 million grant to restore Ukraine’s agriculture. Retrieved from https://interfax.com.ua/news/economic/1086943.html.
  28. International Finance Corporation (IFC). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ifc.org/en/home.
  29. Javaid, M., Haleem, A., Khan, I.H., & Suman, R. (2023). Understanding the potential applications of artificial intelligence in agriculture sector. Advanced Agrochem, 2(1), 15-30. doi: 10.1016/j.aac.2022.10.001.
  30. Kang, J., & Zhao, M. (2022). The impact of financial development on agricultural enterprises in Central China based on vector autoregressive model. Security and Communication Networks, 2022, article number 5629202. doi: 10.1155/2022/5629202.
  31. Kernel Holding S.A. (2022). Annual report for the year ended 30 June 2022. Retrieved from https://www.kernel.ua/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/FY2022_Kernel_Annual_Report.pdf.
  32. Kernel Holding S.A. (2023). Annual report for the year ended 30 June 2023. Retrieved from https://www.kernel.ua/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/FY2023_Kernel_Annual_Report.pdf.
  33. Kernel Holding S.A. (2024). Annual report for the year ended 30 June 2024. Retrieved from https://www.kernel.ua/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FY2024_Kernel_Annual_Report.pdf.
  34. Kernel. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.kernel.ua/ua/.
  35. Kharkiv Regional Military Administration. (2020). Clarification on the state program “affordable loans 5-7-9%”. Retrieved from https://kharkivoda.gov.ua/news/102134.
  36. Kurkul. (2020). Ok Agro results – digitalization in action. Retrieved from https://kurkul.com/spetsproekty/923-pidsumki-okagro--didjitalizatsiya-v-diyi.
  37. Landlord. (2023). Lending to farmers doubled in 2022 – analysts. Retrieved from https://landlord.ua/news/finansi/kredytuvannia-ahrariiv-u-2022-rotsi-zbilshylosia-u-dva-razy-analityky/.
  38. Latifundist. (2022). Kernel suffered a net loss of $41 million – report. Retrieved from https://latifundist.com/novosti/60293-kernel-zaznav-chistogo-zbitku-u-rozmiri-41-mln--zvit.
  39. Latifundist. (2024a). In 2023, MHP made a profit of $142 million after a loss-making 2022. Retrieved from https://latifundist.com/novosti/64424-u-2023-rotsi-mhp-vijshov-na-pributok-u-rozmiri-142-mln-pislya-zbitkovogo-2022.
  40. Latifundist. (2024b). Oschadbank increased the credit limit for Kernel’s enterprise almost 4 times. Retrieved from https://latifundist.com/novosti/65265-oshchadbank-zbilshiv-kreditnij-limit-dlya-pidpriyemstva-kernela-majzhe-v-4-razi.
  41. Liu, Y., Ji, D., Zhang, L., An, J., & Sun, W. (2021). Rural financial development impacts on agricultural technology innovation: Evidence from China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(3), article number 1110. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18031110.
  42. MHP – Gromadi. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://mhpgromadi.org.ua/.
  43. Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine. (2022). Over the past week, more than a thousand farmers have attracted more than 3 billion UAH within the framework of the program “affordable loans 5-7-9”. Retrieved from https://www.kmu.gov.ua/news/za-mynulyi-tyzhden-u-mezhakh-prohramy-dostupni-kredyty-579-ponad-tysiacha-ahrariiv-zaluchyla-bilsh-nizh-3-mlrd-hrn?=print.
  44. Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine. (2024). Farmers received 78.8 billion hryvnias in bank loans for farm development in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.kmu.gov.ua/news/ahrarii-v-2023-rotsi-na-rozvytok-hospodarstv-otrymaly-788-mlrd-hryven-bankivskykh-kredytiv.
  45. Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine. (2025). “Affordable loans 5-7-9%”: 49 billion hryvnias have been received by entrepreneurs under the state program since the beginning of the year. Retrieved from https://me.gov.ua/News/Detail/52ecde61-2952-4f75-aa6e-9738ae5797c9?lang=uk-UA&isSpecial=True&title=DostupniKrediti5-7-9.
  46. Ministry of Finance of Ukraine. (n.d.). European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Retrieved from https://mof.gov.ua/uk/ebrr.
  47. Mushtaq, S., & Mushtaq, S. (2023). The impact of agricultural loans on agricultural production. Journal of Sustainable Food and Agribusiness, 1(1), 32-40. doi: 10.12345/foodsustainability.01.1.673.
  48. Myronivsky Hliboproduct. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://mhp.com.ua/uk/glorytoUkraine.
  49. Nasir, M.A., Wardhono, A., Qori’ah, C.G., & Az-zahra, I.F. (2025). The effectiveness of monetary policy instruments in supporting the financing of agribusiness sector in Indonesia. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1497, article number 012030. doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/1497/1/012030.
  50. National Bank of Ukraine (NBU). (n.d.). National Bank discount rate. Retrieved from https://bank.gov.ua/ua/monetary/archive-rish.
  51. National Bank of Ukraine. (2025). Banks have been increasing lending for a year and a half in a row and have sufficient potential to support the economy in the future – banking sector review. Retrieved from https://bank.gov.ua/ua/news/all/banki-naroschuyut-kredituvannya-pivtora-roku-pospil-ta-mayut-dostatniy-potentsial-dlya-pidtrimki-ekonomiki-nadali--oglyad-bankivskogo-sektoru.
  52. Ngong, C.A., Onyejiaku, C., Fonchamnyo, D.C., & Onwumere, J.U.J. (2023). Has bank credit really impacted agricultural productivity in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community? Asian Journal of Economics and Banking, 7(3), 435-453. doi: 10.1108/AJEB-12-2021-0133.
  53. Njotoprajitno, R.S., Peter, P., Hermawan, V., & Hadianto, B. (2022). Debt policy, liquidity policy, and profitability: A proof from the agricultural companies in Indonesia. Economics and Business Quarterly Reviews, 5(4), 133-140. doi: 10.31014/aior.1992.05.04.465.
  54. Oschadbank. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.oschadbank.ua/.
  55. Osipova, A.A. (2020). Efficiency of state support for agricultural production instruments. Efficient Economy, 6, 1-8. doi: 10.32702/2307-2105-2020.6.61.
  56. Pattnaik D., Ray S., & Raman, R. (2024). Applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning in the financial services industry: A bibliometric review. Heliyon, 10(1), article number e23492. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23492.
  57. Pikalo, O. (2025). MHP’s revenue in 2024 increased by 0.8%, profit by 1.4%. Retrieved from https://forbes.ua/news/mkhp-kosyuka-u-2024-rotsi-zbilshila-chistiy-pributok-na-14-do-144-mln-28042025-29255.
  58. Popelo, O., & Zhavoronok, A. (2024). Current trends in financial and credit security of agricultural enterprises in Ukraine. Problems and Prospects of Economy and Management, 4(40), 212-222. doi: 10.25140/2411-5215-2024-4(40)-212-222.
  59. Prasad, A. (2025). Astarta has attracted $40 million from IFC for the construction of a soybean concentrate production plant. Retrieved from https://forbes.ua/news/astarta-zaluchila-40-mln-vid-ifc-dlya-budivnitstva-zavodu-z-virobnitstva-soevogo-kontsentratu-14052025-29750.
  60. PrivatBank. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://privatbank.ua/.
  61. Prostir. (n.d.). USAID harvest activity. Retrieved from https://www.prostir.ua/author/harvest/.
  62. Rabobank. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.rabobank.com/.
  63. Share UA Potential. (2023). Analysis of Kernel’s financial report for the 2023 fiscal year. Retrieved from http://shareuapotential.com/ru/News/Newsline/kernel-fin-rez-2023-06.html.
  64. Soft Farm. (n.d.). Comprehensive IT solution for agricultural producers. Retrieved from https://www.soft.farm/uk.
  65. Sun, F. (2022). Agricultural credit risk assessment in China based on the BP and GA-BP neural network. Modern Economy, 13, 860-884. doi: 10.4236/me.2022.136047.
  66. Tanklevska, N., Cherniavska, T., Skrypnyk, S., Boiko, V., & Karnaushenko, A. (2023). Financing of Ukrainian agricultural enterprises: Correlation-regression analysis. Scientific Horizons, 26(8), 127-139. doi: 10.48077/scihor8.2023.127.
  67. Tomashuk, I., & Volska, L. (2024). Security and organizational principles of banking lending of agricultural enterprises. Economy and Society, 68, 188-195. doi: 10.32782/2524-0072/2024-68-30.
  68. Trusova, N.V., & Radchenko, N.G. (2020). Tools of financial support for agriculture lending in Ukraine. Accounting and Finance, 4(90), 59-67. doi: 10.33146/2307-9878-2020-4(90)-59-67.
  69. U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.dfc.gov/.
  70. Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. (2023). USAID AGRO program to provide mineral fertilizers for seven thousand Ukrainian agricultural producers for spring 2024 sowing. Retrieved from https://www.rada.gov.ua/news/news_kom/243009.html.
  71. Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. (2025). During 2024, 13,088 agricultural farms received almost 104.5 billion hryvnias in bank loans for development, – committee on agrarian and land policy. Retrieved from https://www.rada.gov.ua/news/news_kom/257564.html.
  72. Wang, J., Liu, T., Liu, Q., & Liu, X. (2024). Does trade credit facilitate high-quality development in agricultural enterprises? – Insights from Chinese enterprises. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 8, article number 1396739. doi: 10.3389/fsufs.2024.1396739.
  73. Wang, Q., Gui, L., Meng, Q., Wang, H., & Hu, J. (2025). Rural credit and new technology adoption among family farms: Evidence from two demonstration areas in China. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12, article number 1109. doi: 10.1057/s41599-025-05491-7.
  74. World Bank Group. (n.d.). Ukraine agriculture recovery inclusive support emergency (ARISE) project. Retrieved from https://projects.worldbank.org/pt/projects-operations/project-detail/P180732.