Despite the ongoing war, Ukraine retains its position as the third-largest exporter of agricultural products to the EU and ranks 14th among the most significant importers of European agricultural products. According to statistics published on the European Commission’s website and reported by Ukrinform, Ukraine’s agricultural exports continue to thrive.
“Imports from Ukraine have remained at a high level since the beginning of the year (+EUR 2.1 billion, +60% from January to May 2023 compared to the same period last year). It remains the third-largest source of agricultural imports to the EU since the beginning of the year, with significant increases in grain, sunflower, poultry, eggs, as well as sugar/isoglucose,” the report states.
As indicated, Ukrainian agricultural exports to the EU have grown from 6.927 billion euros in 2021 to 13.206 billion euros in 2022. From January to May 2023, agricultural imports from Ukraine to the EU have grown by 60% compared to the same period in 2022, increasing from 3.53 billion euros to 5.646 billion euros.
At the same time, Ukraine remains an important destination for European agricultural exports, ranking 14th among the largest importers of European agricultural products. In absolute terms, agricultural imports from the EU to Ukraine decreased from 2.926 billion euros in 2021 to 2.609 billion euros in 2022. However, during the first five months of 2023, agricultural imports from the EU to Ukraine increased by 37% (+384 million euros), rising from 1.027 billion euros in 2022 to 1.412 billion euros in the current year.
Following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the blockade of Ukrainian Black Sea ports, the EU established “corridors of solidarity” at its borders with Ukraine to transport Ukrainian food products, including grains and other types of food, to global markets.
Due to logistical challenges and increased flow of agricultural products from Ukraine, neighboring countries faced complications in their markets.
As a result, the European Commission prohibited the import of wheat, corn, rapeseed, and sunflower from Ukraine to Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Romania, based on the insistence of these countries. This ban, initially implemented on June 5, was extended until September 15, 2023.
On July 19, ministers of agriculture from five EU countries adopted a joint statement in Warsaw, emphasizing the continuation of the European Commission’s embargo on Ukrainian grain imports until the end of the year, with transit arrangements remaining intact.
Yulia Svyrydenko, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, highlighted that if the European Commission continues the ban on Ukrainian grain imports after September 15, Ukraine might consider reciprocal measures.