Sugar beet production in Ukraine: current challenges and development strategies under martial law

The article thoroughly examines the peculiarities of the functioning and transformation of the sugar beet production in Ukraine under martial law caused by the full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation. The article analyses the deep structural changes in the industry caused by hostilities, occupation of part of the territories, destruction of infrastructure and logistics chains, as well as rising prices for energy, fertilisers, seeds and plant protection products. The article provides statistical data on the reduction of sugar beet acreage, yield dynamics, changes in production capacities and sugar production in recent years. Particular attention is paid to the regional analysis of sugar beet production, in particular, the impact of military operations on the leading regions that traditionally specialise in sugar beet cultivation. The paper outlines the current problems of producers, including the lack of labour resources, limited access to finance, difficulties in selling products, destruction of sugar factories and reduced profitability. The author emphasises the importance of state support for the industry, in particular through the mechanisms of subsidies, loans, compensation for losses and preferential taxation. The article also considers the prospective directions of development of the sugar beet industry in the context of post-war recovery. In particular, the author emphasises the need to modernise the material and technical base of enterprises, introduce modern technologies of cultivation and processing, intensify cooperation between farmers, and develop a cluster approach within agro-industrial regions. Emphasis is placed on the strategic importance of sugar beet production as one of the basic segments of Ukraine's food security and a key component of the national agricultural policy. The scientific results of the study can be useful for scientists, teachers, farmers, representatives of state and local authorities, as well as for investors interested in the development of agriculture in Ukraine in the context of modern challenges and transformations.