Cabinet approves programs for development of vegetable production until 2025

Ukrainian Minister for Development of Economy, Trade and Agriculture Ihor Petrashko says the Cabinet of Ministers has adopted a target program for the development of potato production until 2025, as well as that for growing vegetables.

Read alsoExperts predict increase in global potato consumption"The goal of the 2021-2025 strategy for the development of industrial potato growing is to fully provide Ukraine with potato seeds, including those of Ukrainian selection, as well as table potatoes and raw materials for processing," he said at a Cabinet meeting on October 22.

According to Petrashko, it also involves the development of the relevant market and infrastructure, the upgrading of potato storage facilities, as well as the construction of new processing facilities and plants for the production of starch and potato products.

Vegetable development program

The Cabinet also backed a program for vegetable growing, aimed at the effective development of the industry, the processing sector, the stable provision of households with high-quality vegetable products, and the strengthening of Ukraine's export opportunities.

"The program will allow [the government] to boost the efficiency and competitiveness of vegetable growing and increase the share of enterprises that produce vegetables," Petrashko said.

Vegetable and potato growing will be subsidized from the national budget, using funds to be allocated under state programs to support the Ukrainian agribusiness sector.

Background

Ukraine in 2019 increased potato imports, mainly from Russia, by 43 times, to a record high 250,000 tonnes.