EU Agricultural Sector Risks Becoming Confined to Domestic Market Without Ukraine’s Potential

This view was expressed by Alex Lissitsa, President of the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB), during a conference, according to the association’s press service.

He noted that Ukrainian agriculture is currently a cornerstone of the country’s economy. Despite the loss of 5 million hectares of agricultural land and 28 million tonnes of potential production due to the war, Ukraine continues to produce around 80 million tonnes of grain, remaining a key player in the global market.

«At the same time, these results are being achieved under unprecedented pressure on the sector — Ukrainian farmers continue to work under daily enemy attacks. Limited access to Black Sea ports is forcing producers to seek alternative routes — through Danube ports or the European rail network. Due to the high cost of such alternative logistics, the profitability of agricultural production is falling significantly,» Alex Lissitsa emphasised.

He added that this situation creates serious risks for future sowing campaigns: farmers are being forced to consider reducing sown areas and cutting fertiliser use, which will inevitably affect future harvest volumes. Without the full operation of Odesa ports, the survival of the sector is under threat.

The UCAB President explained that the Ukrainian agricultural sector continues to develop and deepen its ties with the European market despite difficult conditions. This cooperation has long gone beyond trade alone: modern agricultural machinery from France, Germany and Belgium, high-performance hybrids and advanced technological solutions have become an important component of the Ukrainian agricultural sector’s success. For its part, Ukraine supplies agricultural products to the European market and, in return, imports European value-added goods. Future integration could strengthen the positions of both Ukraine and the EU, the expert believes.

«Today, Europe is gradually losing its competitive advantages compared with other major global producers. Synergy with Ukraine’s agricultural sector is an opportunity for the EU to maintain its leadership and remain a strong player in third-country markets. If we do not combine our potential, European agriculture risks turning into a closed ecosystem, producing exclusively to meet the needs of EU consumers. Only together can we withstand global competition,» Alex Lissitsa concluded.