Solsky debunks negative myths about the Ukrainian agricultural sector during the EU Council

During the EU Council on Agriculture, Mykola Solsky debunked negative myths about the Ukrainian agricultural sector that have no economic basis. This was reported by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy , according to UNN .

If we analyze the figures as of today, it turns out that we are discussing problems that are actually much smaller. Unfortunately, the Ukrainian agricultural sector has become the target of negative myths that have no economic basis, but are mainly the product of political circumstances. What is most painful for us is that the discussion of these myths overshadows the most important goal - Ukraine's ability to withstand and win the war against Russia.

Details

During a meeting of the EU Council on Agriculture and Fisheries (Agrifish) held on March 26 in Brussels, Ukraine's Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Mykola Solsky also emphasized that Ukraine expects to continue the duty-free and quota-free trade regime with the EU. He expressed hope for the EU's understanding and support in the current situation with our exports.

Solsky also noted that Ukraine's grain exports to the EU have returned to pre-2022 levels. For almost a year, Ukraine has not been supplying wheat, sunflower, corn, and rapeseed to neighboring countries, and the vast majority of its agricultural exports are exported by sea. 

According to the Minister, since the beginning of the year, out of 17 million tons of agricultural exports, about 12 million tons went through the ports of the large city of Odesa, almost 3 million tons were shipped via the Danube, and only 2 million tons by land, mostly by rail, through neighboring EU countries.  

We transit through Poland in a month as much as we export through Ukrainian seaports in one day. Now the cost of exporting from Ukraine by sea is much more competitive than by land.

He emphasized that Ukrainian agricultural exports to the EU markets do not have a negative impact, and in some cases play a role in stabilizing the price balance.

In particular, the share of Ukrainian poultry and eggs in total EU consumption is less than 2% and 1%, respectively. The price of sugar in the EU is still much higher than it was before the full-scale invasion. If Ukrainian sugar is removed from the market, the price in the EU will increase even more.  

The Minister of Agrarian Policy emphasized that Ukraine seeks free trade with the EU on a competitive market basis. 

Any restrictions will only weaken Ukraine economically and directly distance the main goal - our common victory over Russia in this war.