Ukraine plans to boost seed exports to EU – trade envoy

Ukrainian Deputy Minister for Development of Economy, Trade, and Agriculture and Trade Envoy Taras Kachka says Ukraine plans to boost exports of seeds of domestic production.

Read alsoSeeds imports down by 25% in Jan-Sep 2020 due to pandemic"Now, new varieties are being actively selected in Ukraine with the use of modern technologies, taking into account natural and climatic conditions. At the same time, we are working to increase the share of seeds in foreign trade. Ukraine is constantly expanding its participation in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development [OECD] Seed Schemes," the ministry's press service quoted Kachka as saying on March 11.

The EU member states are a promising market for Ukrainian seeds, he said. Today, Ukraine is integrated into the European seed marketing network. It was also included in the list of non-EU countries that have the right to export grain seeds onto the European market.

Also, under the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement, the ministry has been streamlining the country's legislation with EU standards in the field of seed production. Today, most of standards concerning the production, certification, labeling, and quality of seeds of grain, oilseeds, and potatoes are in line with EU legislation.

Background

• In 2020, Ukraine almost tripled seed exports to the European Union member states, up to 795 tonnes worth US$3.1 million.
• In late September 2020, the European Union recognized that Ukraine's seed certification system is equivalent to that of the EU.
• According to the Seed Association of Ukraine, the potential of Ukrainian seed exports is reaching US$100 million, while the share of shipments to the EU may grow to 10%.