Despite the devastating war and conflict, Claydon is continuing to export to Ukraine in a bid to supply and support farming customers.

During the next few days, the latest shipment to leave the Claydon Yield-o-Meter factory in Suffolk will arrive in central Ukraine via Ukrainian dealer and importer, Technotorg, to help the country’s farmers establish a range of spring-sown crops, including sunflowers, soybeans, maize, and cereals.

The first of many deliveries scheduled this year, the initial consignment comprises Claydon 4m T4 and 6m T6 trailed seed drills, the cornerstone of the company’s range of direct strip till machinery.

Fast-growing market

Claydon began exporting to Ukraine five years ago and in 2020 appointed Anatoliy Penzin as National Territory Manager to develop sales in this fast-growing market.

Although it is currently impossible for Claydon staff to visit the country, Anatoliy, a Ukrainian national, continues to provide sales, practical and technical support to his distributor, Technotorg, which is based in Mykolaiv, a town in the south of the country on the Southern Bug River and close to the Black Sea.

Ukraine’s agribusiness sector has been the most promising sector of the country’s economy, according to the US International Trade Administration. Its 41.5M hectares of agricultural land represent about 70% of the total area and make up 25% of the world’s reserves of black soil.

Agriculture is the largest export industry and in 2020 generated approximately 9.3% of the country’s GDP.

Determined to continue

“It’s heart-breaking to see what is happening in Ukraine,” said Simon Revell, the company’s export manager. “When the conflict started Anatoliy and his family were forced to flee their home in Kyiv, the country’s capital, but despite huge personal disruption he continues to do everything possible to assist our distributor and customers in Ukraine. Despite the tragedy unfolding around them they are determined to continue operating as normally as possible, so I and my colleagues at Claydon are doing all we can to support them through this very difficult time.”