REUTERS
Ukraine as of January 11 completely used its annual quota for duty-free honey exports to the European Union (EU) in 2017, according to the Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry's press service.
"As was the case last year, Ukrainian farm produce is in high demand among European importers, as the quotas used as of January 11, 2017, indicate. For instance, tariff quotas for untaxed exports of Ukrainian honey are now over," the press service quoted Deputy Minister Olha Trofimtseva as saying.
What is more, the quota for Ukrainian sugar deliveries has already been used by 64%, and those for grape and apple juices by 78%, she said.
Last year, Ukraine used all its quotas for honey, sugar, oats, barley cereals and flour, malt, maize, processed tomatoes, and other types of foods, the press service said.
Read alsoUkraine PM advocates for increasing EU quotas on Ukrainian agri-exportsAs UNIAN reported earlier, following Ukrainian producers' requests, the European Commission announced it was ready to boost export quotas for certain types of Ukrainian products shipped onto the European market. Commenting on the EC's decision, European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom said it concerned cereals, processed tomatoes, honey, as well as mineral fertilizers, footwear, electronic equipment, and some types of metalware.
Read alsoUkraine, EU agree on further liberalization of quotas, duties The Trade Commissioner earlier said the EU quotas would be increased for three years, but the decision is subject to endorsement by the European Parliament and the EU member states.
In late September, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze estimated the economic effect of the possible increase in EU export quotas for Ukraine at about US$200 million.
The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) between Ukraine and the European Union entered into force on January 1, 2016. Ukrainian exports of goods to the EU in January-July 2016 grew by 6.7% year-on-year, to $6.5 billion, accounting for 38.8% of total exports.
Read alsoEP mulling more trade preferences for Ukraine – Foreign ministryIn the nine months of 2016, shipments of goods and services from Ukraine to the EU were estimated at UAH 11.4 billion, with goods exports accounting for 85.4%, the Economic Development and Trade Ministry said.