THE UNION OF DAIRY ENTERPRISES OF UKRAINE

EU Integration Committee
of Ukrainian Dairy

SMPU at GFFA Forum: Investments in Ukraine’s Dairy Sector Show Strong Potential

On January 18 in Berlin, as part of the GFFA Forum during the “Green Week” exhibition, a key dialogue took place between Ukrainian and German agricultural associations. Ukrainian Minister of Agrarian Policy Vitalii Koval and German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir emphasised the importance of combating misinformation surrounding Ukraine’s EU integration process.

Elizabeth Sviatkivska, Coordinator of the EU Integration Committee of the Union of Dairy Enterprises of Ukraine (SMPU), highlighted during the discussion that maintaining free trade conditions is critically important for Ukrainian producers, especially amid the ongoing war. “This is real support from Europe, enabling our enterprises to operate under these challenging conditions,” she said.

Sviatkivska also addressed myths about Ukrainian products failing to meet European standards. “Only enterprises that have passed the European Commission audit and meet all EU requirements can export to the EU,” she clarified.

The discussion also touched on European farmers’ concerns over a potential negative impact of Ukraine’s EU accession on their businesses. These fears of competition from Ukrainian producers appear more like political manipulation than an objective assessment, as Ukraine currently imports more EU-produced dairy than it exports, while still benefiting from free trade conditions.

Sviatkivska noted that the SMPU EU Integration Committee, together with the European Dairy Association (EDA), is developing a roadmap to align Ukraine’s dairy sector with European standards. She also highlighted the strong investment potential of the Ukrainian dairy industry, noting opportunities to increase both productivity and herd size without violating the EU’s green policies.

The key takeaway from the dialogue is clear: continuous efforts are needed to inform the European public about the real situation in Ukraine’s agricultural sector and to counter misleading narratives. Only through transparent communication can strong partnerships be built between Ukrainian and European farmers.