UCAB

Exporting Ukrainian grain via alternative routes inevitably increases logistics costs. Freight rates at Danube ports have more than doubled over the past month and continue to rise.

Over the past few weeks, the security situation around Ukrainian seaports has significantly deteriorated. According to the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, in the first two weeks of July alone, Russia carried out 23 strikes on Ukrainian ports and 17 attacks on civilian vessels. Over the past week, freight rates have nearly doubled to $40+ per metric ton.

As of early July, Ukraine is actively utilizing tariff quotas for exports of agri-food products to the European Union.

In June, Ukraine officially opened negotiations with the European Union under the first negotiating cluster, Fundamentals. There are hopes that all negotiating clusters will be opened by the end of the summer, including the one covering the agricultural sector — Cluster 5, which encompasses agricultural policy, food safety, and fisheries.

The European Union has already set the course for its future development—climate neutrality, energy security, and a competitive economy have become specific strategic goals enshrined in the European Green Deal, REPowerEU, RED III, and other initiatives.

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.

Ukraine will benefit from the earliest possible start of negotiations with the European Union in the agricultural sector.

The late spring crops sowing campaign is in its final stage, and the sowing rate is gradually decreasing.

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.

The adaptation of Ukraine’s agricultural sector to European Union standards requires sufficient time.

In recent years, Polish farmers have made numerous accusations against Ukrainian agricultural producers. There is a certain level of competition between producers in the two countries, as well as concerns about possible pressure on Polish farmers if Ukraine joins the EU. But is a compromise possible between producers and farmers in both countries?

The favorable weather of the last week allowed us to intensify the sowing campaign, but there is still a significant lag compared to previous years.

The removal of trade barriers in the event of Ukraine’s accession to the European Union may affect food prices.

A cold and prolonged spring, along with excessive soil waterlogging after winter snow, has led to a forced delay in the sowing campaign for spring crops, especially late ones.

The structure of egg production in Ukraine in 2025 is shifting in favor of the industrial segment, which is gradually increasing its market share.