Taras Vysotsky

Alternative routes for exports of grain, oilseeds and their processed products through the Danube region, by rail and road transport, during periods of their active use, provided a maximum of up to 50% of the volume that was shipped through the ports of Greater Odesa.

In August, vessels are no longer calling at the ports of Greater Odesa. From August 1 to 12, Ukraine exported 590 thousand tonnes of grain, which is 30% of the required volume. Currently, about 45% of agricultural exports are transported by rail, about 45% through the Danube region, and 10% by road.

Russian attacks on civilian vessels and port infrastructure have effectively halted traffic to the ports of Greater Odesa. Ukraine is expanding exports by rail, road and via the Danube. However, these routes will be able to provide only about half the capacity of the Black Sea ports. This poses a threat to exports of Ukraine’s harvest and the stability of global food markets.

Taras Vysotskyi is not a new figure at the agricultural ministry. Having served as Deputy Minister for seven years, both in a separate ministry and within merged ministries, he remained a source of stability for participants in the agri-food sector.

Using alternative logistics routes will cost agricultural producers an additional €50–70 per tonne of products, while the total losses of Ukraine’s agricultural sector could amount to $1.5–3 billion. This is why the support of international partners is critically important both for Ukraine and for preserving global food security.

Over the past several days, only four to five vessels have been calling at Ukraine’s Black Sea ports due to Russian attacks, and vessel traffic was suspended on 22 July. The Ukrainian government is currently working to resolve the situation and will take all possible measures to ensure the continued stability of exports through the Black Sea ports.

Ukraine’s EU membership requires the adaptation of livestock farming to stricter standards for product safety, animal welfare and environmental regulations. At the same time, the changes and innovations that agricultural producers will have to implement on farms will help raise production standards and expand export opportunities for Ukrainian products.

The direct losses suffered by Ukraine’s agricultural sector as a result of the full-scale war and Russian attacks have exceeded $11 billion.

Ukraine is capable of identifying grain originating from temporarily occupied territories with a very high degree of accuracy.

The full-scale war has dealt a serious blow to Ukrainian beekeeping, causing both the direct death of millions of insects due to shelling and fires, and the destruction of thousands of farms in occupied and frontline territories.

The European integration of Ukraine’s agricultural sector is now an entirely realistic development scenario for the industry. Ukraine has already implemented around 74% of the provisions of the Association Agreement related to agriculture and rural development, and 83% of those concerning food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy.

On May 20, Kyiv hosted the presentation of the Roadmap for the European Integration of Ukraine’s Dairy Sector. The document serves as a strategic framework and a step-by-step plan outlining the direction in which Ukraine’s dairy sector should move on its path toward European integration.The goal of the document is to bring Ukrainian dairy products to the European market and ensure the sustainable development of the industry.The Roadmap was developed by industry associations, including the Union of Dairy Enterprises of Ukraine, in partnership with government bodies and with the support of international donors from Switzerland and the Netherlands.

Ukraine continues the systematic adaptation of its agricultural sector to European Union standards. Compliance with EU requirements is already opening new export markets for domestic products and strengthening the country’s position in the global agricultural market.

Ukraine is moving to a more practical stage of EU accession negotiations, with clear priorities for 2026, deadlines for achieving key benchmarks, and the preparation of negotiating positions by sector.

Ukraine can become a key supplier of soybeans to the European Union due to its large production volumes and readiness to comply with new requirements.