Updated rules for duty-free and quota-free trade in agricultural products between Ukraine and the European Union will come into effect on 5 June.
According to the website of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, these rules will be in effect for a year. Quotas have been set for some agricultural products based on the average harvest for the second half of 2021 and 2022-2023.
According to Taras Vysotskyi, acting Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, at the Grain Ukraine conference, this applies to six types of products: sugar, eggs, poultry, corn, cereals, and honey.
In particular, the quota of 262 thousand tonnes for sugar exports to the EU has already been exhausted.
‘Since 1 June, the government has introduced a zero sugar quota, which will be in effect until the end of the year. However, Ukrainian agricultural producers continue to export sugar to Africa, the Middle East and the UK,’ Vysotskyy said, adding that overall, there is enough sugar production for domestic consumption.
According to the acting Minister of Agrarian Policy, the EU is Ukraine's largest trading partner; last year, about 60% of agricultural products were exported to its member states.
Vysotskyi added that laws will soon come into force that will provide mechanisms for transparent and unimpeded exports.
‘The new legislative changes provide for the establishment of minimum prices for the export of grains and oilseeds, nuts and honey. Also, the SAR will launch a traceability system for manufactured products. The Ministry of Agrarian Policy is developing an algorithm for implementing the changes, which will be published for public discussion,’ the official said.