The less Ukrainian agricultural products overshadow European countries, the easier it will be to negotiate with the European Commission regarding the continuation of trade relations under the Autonomous Trade Measures (ATM), stated Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Vitaliy Koval in an interview with "Interfax-Ukraine".
The minister reminded that in 2021, 36% of the Ukrainian agrarian sector was exported to the European Union. Since the onset of the full-scale war, this figure sometimes reached 73%. In 2024, Ukraine reduced its exports to the EU to 52%.
Currently, according to Koval, the Ukrainian government sees two main scenarios for developments after the expiration of the current ATM regime on June 5. The first basic scenario articulated by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy in negotiations is that the war has not ended, and they are requesting an extension of the ATM regime, but with an expanded list of sensitive products, which currently includes 7 items.
The second scenario being discussed informally is the liberalization of trade under Article 29, based on long-term planning for the expansion of the range of products that can be imported into the EU. Yes, this involves quotas, but they would be revised and significantly increased, the minister explained.
As an example, he cited Ukraine's sugar exports to the EU, which before the war amounted to 20,000 tons per year. However, in the context of Ukraine, this is only a few working days for Ukrainian sugar factories.
Koval noted that the government is currently preparing for the final stage of negotiations while simultaneously seeking new markets.
"We are reducing the share of the EU in our export geography and looking for alternatives. At the same time, we remember that the EU market is premium in terms of prices, convenient in terms of logistics, and vital for our producers to maintain their product quality," the minister emphasized.
He added that when searching for markets, the government focuses on countries in need of Ukrainian food and has achieved certain successes in this regard—exports to some regions increased by more than 30% in 2024. In particular, exports to Africa reached $2.6 billion, while supplies to the Middle East and Southeast Asia are growing, and cooperation with Malaysia, Indonesia, and Bangladesh is actively developing.
"The task of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy is to minimize bureaucratic barriers in trade with potential export countries," Koval concluded.