On 22 July of 2016 in Brussels Ministry of agriculture policy and food of Ukraine commonly with General Directorate of the EU have held “Round table” devoted to agricultural business in the “Agro dialog EU –Ukraine, 2016” framework.  Minister of agricultural policy and food of Ukraine, Mr. Taras Kutoyi, other Ukrainian and European business associations’, along with leading companies’ representatives have took part in the event.

Officials have discussed issues on business perspectives, barriers and expectations due to implementation of the FTA regime. The EU is one of the most promising destinations for Ukrainian agro businesses. In 2015 28% of Ukrainian agro exports were supplied to the EU and EU’s import of Ukrainian agro products has been increased fourfold in monetary terms during last decade. Considering mentioned business aspects, Ukrainian representatives have offered a format of business dialog within representatives of civil society of Ukraine and the EU on the level of industry associations, along with certain companies which jointly with the ministry have offered own view on collaboration development with the EU.

Widening of access to European markets for Ukrainian agro and food producers was a key issue of the event. Russian bans for Ukrainian agro products was a major argument for the discussion as presently Ukrainian business have to relocate its volumes recently delivered to the RF. Trade cuttings have caused a list of logistics issues in export not only to the RF, but also to the regions of Central Asia as the way to Asian destinations passes through the RF and thus, the EU plays critical role for Ukraine as foreign trade partner.

Mr. Taras Vysotskyi, general director of the UCAB Association, presenting his presentation with the subject of “Investment options in agro industry of Ukraine”, held a speech on major export share of agro industry in Ukrainian foreign trade. In 2015 agro export had a share of some 38% of total. Agro raw products are leading export goods of the industry. Notable progress has been reached in trade with Asia, in particular with China. Along with, trade volumes with the CIS countries have decreased notably.

“Agro industry has always been notable share of Ukrainian economy and during last years of crisis value of agribusiness has become critical. In overall export agro products have took 41.3% of total volume exported in first five months of 2016. Also, in 2015 the share of agriculture in national GDP has reached 12%. Thus, increase of national producers’ access to the EU’s markets will allow to develop Ukrainian presence on the global markets and to support production of high value added products”, - said Mr. Taras Vysotskyi, general director of the Association “Ukrainian Agribusiness Club”.