Bayer announced that starting in 2023 onwards, the company will be investing 60 million euros into their corn seed productions facility in Pochuiky, Ukraine according to a release. Bayer stated that through this investment they are emphasizing their commitment to Ukraine and helping to rebuild their economy. The 60 million euros will go towards a new seed dryer, state-of-the-art agricultural field equipment, storage facilities and the construction of two bomb shelters.
“We stand with Ukraine,” said Bayer’s head of public affairs, science and sustainability Matthias Berninger. “That was the case before the war broke out, and it’s even more so since then. Bayer has been active in Ukraine for many years and is committed to the country, its people and farming communities. Our investment underscores our commitment which is in full alignment with our vision of ‘Health for all, hunger for none’ and reflects the critical importance of the country in the global food supply chain. We will do our part to support the rebuilding plan for Ukraine and protecting food security for the region and for the world.”
Berninger visited Ukraine on a business delegation trip led by Robert Habeck. Habeck is the German vice-chancellor and federal minister for economic affairs and climate action. Oliver Gierlichs, managing director of Bayer Ukraine, was also on the trip. The delegation included discussion on Germany’s commitment to the Ukraine and a potentialeconomic partnership. This business delegation was the first from the German government in the Ukraine since the invasion.
Bayer invested almost 200 million euros before the war, and the investment utilized a network of Ukrainian farmers to produce corn seed. The seed processing plant in Pochuiky opened in 2018 with 100 employees and almost 300 seasonal workers. Bayer is one of the largest investors in the area and is now working actively on social issues locally. Twenty-five percent of the local taxes come from Bayer, and they have also invested in new roads, a local hospital, schools and a library.
Investing in the Pochuiky site is in line with efforts of Bayer to support Ukraine.
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, Bayer has tried to support employees, customers and the Ukrainian people. The company donated over 40,000 bags of seed and health care products that helped over 30,000 patients. The NGO Foundation Suisse de Déminage (FSD) was able to purchase a large-size mechanical mine clearance machine (MV10 machine) through a donation Bayer made as well. Bayer has continued to pay their employees their full salaries and offered additional benefits like monetary support, relocation and sheltering.
“We are very proud of what our colleagues in Ukraine have accomplished in these unprecedented times to contribute not only to the country’s food supply and resistance, but also to defending the universal values of freedom and democracy,” said Gierlichs. “We will continue to support them and the country going forward.”
