As part of the program to support Ukrainian exports, Oschad has expanded financing for one of the leaders in the agricultural sector - Kernel Group

In line with the task of supporting export-oriented Ukrainian companies set out in Oschad's wartime strategy, the bank is expanding its cooperation with leading Ukrainian exporters. In July 2024, Oschadbank increased the credit limit for DRUZHBA-NOVA, a member of the Kernel Group of companies, by almost 4 times: from UAH 340 million to UAH 1,253 million. The purpose of the financing is to replenish the working capital of the agricultural producer. DRUZHBA-NOVA is one of the largest land clusters of Kernel, with more than 110 thousand hectares. With the funds raised, the company will be able to ensure an efficient harvesting and sowing campaign this year, which will help increase foreign exchange earnings from Ukrainian exports.

"Oschadbank started cooperation with Kernel Group at the very beginning of the full-scale war, when all the efforts of the banking sector were aimed primarily at supporting farmers to ensure the country's food security. Since then, we have been gradually increasing the volume of cooperation and working to deepen our trusting partnership with the agricultural market leader. Today, the loan portfolio of the Kernel Group of companies in Oschad is already over UAH 2.2 billion. Supporting the agricultural sector continues to be a priority for us during the war, as it is not only food security, but also one of the main drivers of our economy and foreign exchange earnings in Ukraine," said Yuriy Katsion, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Oschadbank in charge of corporate business.

"The support of Ukrainian producers by Ukrainian banks is now more important than ever, as access to international financing markets is complicated by military risks. We value our cooperation with Oschadbank and are grateful that we can count on the bank's support," said Sergey Volkov, CFO of Kernel.

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_{Kernel is Ukraine's largest grain producer and exporter, a leader in the global sunflower oil market, and a key supplier of agricultural products from the Black Sea region to the world markets. The company accounts for about 8% of global sunflower oil exports. Kernel supplies its products to more than 70 countries.}