The Ukrainian agricultural sector is preparing for large-scale integration with the European Union, which requires significant investments to implement European standards. According to experts, the annual costs for implementing EU environmental regulations will amount to approximately €2.5 billion, or between €70 and €150 per hectare of agricultural land.
This is reported by Business • Media
Costs and Challenges for Ukrainian Farmers
The head of the All-Ukrainian Agricultural Council, Andriy Dyкун, emphasized that Ukrainian farmers will have to implement new standards without state subsidies, while in the EU itself, eco-standards and the “green course” are constantly being revised under pressure from farmers. He highlighted that adapting to European requirements could become a costly but necessary condition for Ukraine’s Euro-integration.
“Calculations indicate that implementing European eco-standards will cost the Ukrainian agricultural sector approximately €2.5 billion per year, which translates to an additional €70-150 per hectare”
Ukraine and the EU: Prospects for Uniting the Agricultural Market
Andriy Dyкун is confident that after joining on equal terms, Ukraine, along with EU countries, will form the largest global food producer. He noted that Ukraine will be the first country to join the EU with an agricultural sector that is already more developed than that of existing EU members. This, according to the expert, opens strategic opportunities for strengthening Ukraine’s position in global food security.