European integration

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

Ukraine’s integration into the European Union in the field of crop production is considered one of the most challenging areas due to the need for a fundamental transformation of regulatory frameworks and cultivation practices.

Ukraine should focus not on increasing the volume of agricultural products exported to the EU, but on producing value-added goods that can be exported beyond the EU and help feed global markets.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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

For Ukrainian farmers, the European Union is the most important market, one that is already shaping export strategies and production technologies. In January–February 2026 alone, Ukraine exported 9.95 million tonnes of agricultural products worth a total of $4 billion. At the same time, foreign currency revenues from agricultural exports increased by 9.3% compared with last year, while the EU’s share in total exports amounted to about 50%.

Ukraine is ready to discuss transitional periods for the gradual phase-out of EU agricultural subsidies in order to speed up the process of gaining EU membership.

Ukraine is ready to postpone access to some of the EU's benefits, in particular within the Common Agricultural Policy, to speed up the process of joining the bloc.

Ukraine and Portugal are strengthening practical cooperation in the agricultural 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.