Ukraine’s Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Taras Vysotskyi and his First Deputy, Denys Bashlyk, held an online meeting with European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen.
According to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, the main topic of the discussion was export logistics. Due to the blockade of the Black Sea and Russian strikes on transport infrastructure, alternative routes provide only about half of the required export volumes, and their capacity is almost exhausted, the ministry noted. At the same time, simplifying cross-border transport procedures will make it possible to export an additional up to 1 million tonnes of agricultural products per season.
Vysotskyi stressed that Ukraine’s task, together with its EU partners, is to find solutions to increase exports and reduce logistics costs.
The parties also reviewed the financial situation of farmers, who are short of working capital due to the high cost of fuel, production and transportation. Some farms are already adjusting their plans, and if the situation does not change, a certain share of land may remain unsown in the spring, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy emphasised.
Participants also discussed international assistance for temporary crop storage, including providing farmers with grain bags.
In addition, at the meeting the Ukrainian side proposed resuming regular Ukraine–EU agricultural dialogue as early as January 2027. Priority issues should include aligning legislation with European standards, preparations for integration into the Common Agricultural Policy, market access and support for farmers.
Officials also discussed the stability of supplies of Ukrainian grain to importers, possible compensation for additional logistics costs, improving the administration of exports of certain types of products, and holding a high-level agricultural discussion at the Ukraine Recovery Conference URC 2027.