Changes in the Consumption of Mineral Fertilizers and Pesticides in Poland and Ukraine – Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Ukraine has very good natural conditions for agricultural production and year by year it is becoming an increasingly important producer in Europe and the World. Poland, despite worse natural conditions and more than three times smaller area of utilization agricultural area, is also an important producer in the EU. The current geopolitical situation requires comparative analyzes of numerous aspects of the agricultural potential of Poland and Ukraine. They are necessary for utilitarian reasons and provide a scientific basis for making political decisions of a strategic nature, especially in relation to agricultural policy. Therefore, the purpose of the paper is to compare the trends of changes and the current state in the consumption of mineral fertilizers and pesticides in Polish and Ukrainian agriculture. The material for analysis was statistical data from the FAO. The analysis covers the years 1992-2020. The consumption of mineral NPK fertilizers and pesticides in Poland and Ukraine in the years 1992-2020 varied both in terms of the level, dynamics and directions of changes. The consumption of mineral fertilizers in the analyzed period was higher in Poland than in Ukraine. On the other hand, the use of pesticides in most years was higher in Ukraine than in Poland. However, since 2015, this regularity has changed and therefore the consumption of pesticides in Poland is higher than in Ukraine. Considering the outlined trends in the consumption of mineral fertilizers and plant protection products, it should be pointed out that Ukraine will strengthen its position as the leading food producer in the world. In this case, it will be a big challenge for Poland and the entire EU, which should be the subject of further scientific analyses.