EU Integration, export strategy development are priorities for Ukrainian agriculture

KYIV. Oct 18 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Efforts from both the government and agricultural producers must be united and synchronized to develop Ukraine's agricultural sector and implement its export strategy, said Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Vitaliy Koval at a meeting on grain exports in Kyiv on Friday.

The Minister emphasized that one of the Ministry's main priorities is European integration and the expansion of export markets in the EU.

"The most challenging 'front' in our interactions with the EU is the agricultural sector. More than 2,000 regulations need to be aligned with EU standards, covering everything from the size of cages in poultry farming to milk collection and animal handling. But in the process of European integration, it's crucial not to lose sight of our national interest. We must respect EU regulations while advocating for our own rational position. We want the EU to hear the Ukrainian farmer. This is where the support of Ukrainian farmers and associations is key, as they can communicate directly with their European counterparts and explain that we are partners," the Ministry's press service quoted Koval as saying.

He noted the importance of dispelling negative myths about Ukraine's agricultural sector. Koval mentioned that he had already held 15 meetings with European agricultural ministers, which significantly improved mutual understanding with the EU. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen Ukraine’s position in the EU agricultural export market and open new ones.

"Currently, the largest market for Ukrainian agricultural exports is the European one, which receives 57% of our agricultural products. It's a powerful market. Today, the EU is the world's fourth-largest exporter of agricultural products. With Ukraine, the EU will become a major player in global food security. At the same time, markets in Africa and Southeast Asia are also of interest to Ukraine," the Minister said.

Koval also listed other priorities for the Ministry's work, including supporting farmers from frontline areas, where 2,911 agricultural enterprises have been affected. Additionally, irrigation, overcoming the ecological and economic consequences of the Kakhovka dam explosion, and livestock development are key areas. He pointed out the need to promote deep processing, producing value-added agricultural products to transform Ukraine into an agro-industrial state.

First Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy Taras Vysotsky reminded attendees that to meet the internal needs of the population and ensure that agricultural producers can export grain in sufficient volumes, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in August 2024 between the Ministry and grain market participants for the 2024-2025 marketing year. The Memorandum clearly defines the maximum export volumes for wheat at 16.2 million tonnes.

Representatives of grain business associations emphasized the importance of insuring products against war risks and ensuring access to credit through preferential loan programs as critical needs for the grain industry.

Source: http://www.interfax.com.ua