A panel discussion on the European integration of the Ukrainian dairy sector and future trade conditions with the European Union became one of the key platforms of the conference “Roadmap for European Integration of the Ukrainian Dairy Sector”.

The discussion was moderated by Maksym Fasteyev, advisor to the SMPU Committee on European Integration. The discussion was also attended by the Chairman of the European Integration Committee of the Ukrainian Agricultural and Food Industry Association, Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Oleksandra Avramenko, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the IMKK Valentyn Zaporoshchuk, Secretary General of Eucolait Jukka Likitalo and expert of the project “German-Ukrainian Agropolitical Dialogue” Oleksandr Zhemoyda.

The participants discussed the conditions for reviewing quotas and licensing Ukrainian dairy importers to the EU, the possibilities of using the EU’s free trade agreements with third countries, as well as the risks faced by exporters of value-added finished products. Considerable attention was paid to the need for a clear state position on the future model of Ukraine’s integration into the European market.

The discussion covered the state of trade relations between Ukraine and the EU, in particular the review of trade agreements, the use of tariff quotas in the first half of 2026, and export prospects. The participants also noted that due to Russian aggression, geopolitical instability, and the crisis in the Middle East, the European Union is increasingly focusing not only on climate requirements, but also on food security and the stability of food supplies.

It was noted that the Ukrainian dairy sector has already proven its ability to adapt to European standards, but further development is hampered by trade and administrative barriers. Business representatives warned that producers of value-added products may suffer the greatest losses, while raw material exports will have easier access to the EU market. It was also believed that Ukrainian producers should increasingly focus on the expectations of the European consumer.

The cooperation of the SMPU with Eucolait was also noted: the SMPU is an associate member of the European association. Jukka Likitalo, Secretary General of Eucolait, invited Ukrainian companies to join the industry events held by this association of dairy traders for better integration into the EU professional environment.

Summing up the discussion, the participants emphasized that the successful integration of the Ukrainian dairy sector into the European market requires systematic negotiation work, a transparent state position, and constant dialogue between the authorities, business, and European partners.

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The event is held in partnership with the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) with the support of:
• Switzerland within the framework of the Swiss-Ukrainian program “Development of higher value-added trade in the organic and dairy sectors of Ukraine” (QFTP), implemented by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL, Switzerland) in partnership with SAFOSO AG (Switzerland);
• The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ukraine.