Ukraine is embarking on an ambitious plan to expand its export footprint by entering 31 new markets, according to Serhii Tkachuk, the head of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection. This initiative is poised to bolster the country's agricultural exports significantly.
Following last year’s noteworthy achievements, where 22 domestic food producers were granted permission to export products to the EU, the Ukrainian government is eager to widen its reach. Tkachuk noted, “The registration of market operators in the EU list is a dynamic process. Companies can be added or removed depending on their compliance with the requirements. We are working to expand markets and have already started work on 31 new markets to which Ukrainian companies want to export.”
Among the successful exporters last year were 12 poultry producers, three fish processing companies, and five dairy processing outfits. Honey production also made strides, with 28 Ukrainian honey producers and processors being accredited to the EU list of honey importers introduced last November. This demonstrates significant progress within the food production sector.
Adding to this achievement, 39 export facilities for the production of inedible products of animal origin received approval last year, with eight of these being new entries registered to export. Ukraine’s agricultural sector is currently compliant to export products to 364 global trade destinations.
Despite facing challenges like quotas on specific product groups within the EU, Ukrainian producers are adapting by focusing their efforts on markets in Africa, the Middle East, and China. Tkachuk remarked on the strategic shift: “We are working to expand markets and have already started work on 31 new markets.”
Further enhancing Ukraine’s global trade opportunities, agreements have been signed with the People's Republic of China, which regulate the terms of exporting wild-caught aquatic products and peas. These agreements not only reflect Ukraine’s commitment to boosting its export capacity but exhibit growing international collaboration.
On the domestic front, support is evident for the country’s 5.5 million small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as the government's new Board of Trade was unveiled to spur growth and increase exports. The initiative was announced by Jonathan Reynolds, the Business and Trade Secretary, who emphasized the importance of empowering SMEs to enable them to thrive by making the necessary tools available for international trade. “Small businesses are the driving force of our economy,” Reynolds stated, noting the board's purpose to help firms capitalize on free trade agreements.
The new Board of Trade, comprising industry leaders including Apprentice star Mike Soutar and BT CEO Allison Kirkby, is tasked with advocating for business sectors and assisting SMEs particularly to engage more with international markets.
Reynolds highlighted the plan’s goals: “We’re determined to... get more businesses trading around the world and taking advantage of our fantastic FTAS.” The formation of the board is paired with immediate calls for evidence to explore access to finance for SMEs, recognizing this as one of the main obstacles to their growth.
Easy access to finance is pivotal for assisting small businesses to establish operations and scale, hence the government’s decision to conduct extensive research on current financial demands and potential improvements. Gareth Thomas, Small Business Minister, reiterated the significance of finance accessibility to SMEs, as they play such a central role within the UK economy.
Representatives from various sectors are engaging during the SME summit at Wilton Park, driven by the opportunity to address barriers hindering the growth of small enterprises. The summit aims to discuss key strategies to encourage entrepreneurship, adopt new technologies, and improve financial access. Noteworthy attendees include Export Champions like Laura Ward MBE from the company EXEAT, and Julianne Ponan MBE from Creative Nature, who will contribute their experiences to inform government policies.
Tkachuk’s announcement of plans for new export markets aligns with the overarching theme of boosting national economic growth, using strategic partnerships and government initiatives to expand Ukraine’s agricultural exports. The anticipated benefits from engaging with these new markets could be significant, not only for the producers involved but for the entire Ukrainian economy.
With the government and relevant organizations actively working to create supportive frameworks for SMEs and exporters, the outlook for Ukraine's agricultural exports appears promising. This synergistic effort could be key to achieving economic resilience and sustainable growth.