Ukrainian agrarian unions have appealed to the government to take all necessary measures to preserve unrestricted access to the European market for their food products, as announced by the UCAB association on February 5.
While the European Commission recently extended the suspension of import duties on Ukrainian exports until June 2025, a move initially designed to support the economy after Russia’s invasion two years ago, new measures were proposed to limit agricultural imports from Ukraine. The proposed changes also include increased flexibility on rules for fallow land, aiming to address protests from farmers in France and other EU nations.
The UCAB business association emphasized the significance of these preferences for Ukraine’s agricultural sector, enabling exporters to sustain production, jobs, and foreign exchange earnings. In 2023, Ukrainian food product exports amounted to $21.9 billion, constituting 61% of all exports from Ukraine, with the EU accounting for 56.6% or $12.4 billion of total agricultural product exports.
Maintaining open access to the EU market is deemed crucial for Ukraine’s trade balance and the survival of its agricultural sector. UCAB urged authorities to facilitate ongoing preferential access and initiate direct dialogue with European partners to address concerns and foster collaboration.
The EU had initially suspended import duties, quotas, and trade defense measures in June 2022. However, protests erupted due to the influx of cheap Ukrainian grain exports, leading to a reconsideration of agricultural trade policies. Ukraine, a global agricultural producer and exporter, seeks to secure its market presence and balance amid shifting geopolitical and economic dynamics.
