After an exceptionally strong year of trade, the combined trade in agricultural and food products noticeably fell back in 2025. The total value amounted to about sixteen billion dollars, roughly one-tenth lower than the previous year.
The trade balance remained in Ukraine's favor, but the surplus decreased. At the same time, imports of European agricultural and food products into Ukraine actually increased. A limited number of EU countries account for the vast majority of that trade.
Mentioning a Date
The main European trading partners of Ukraine last year were Poland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, France, Romania, and Belgium. These countries together accounted for about 80% of the total domestic trade in agricultural and food products with the EU.
Promotion
Against this background, President Zelensky wants the European Union to state a clear accession date, preferably in 2027. Brussels responds cautiously and mainly talks about gradual or phased integration.
Phased
Ukraine has committed to fully aligning its agricultural practices with European rules by the end of 2028. Additional standards would be gradually introduced, with an emphasis on practical implementation in the coming years.
The biggest hurdle lies in the use of crop protection products. European rules limit the use of many pesticides. Ukrainian representatives emphasize that a full transition is not possible in a single season and request a transition period of about ten years.
Ten Years
According to them, switching to European standards requires long-term adjustments of cultivation systems, investments in new technology, and revisions of existing production plans. Without a generous transition period, this would have major consequences for agricultural production. They refer to a period of ten years.
Within the European Union, concerns are meanwhile voiced that rapid or accelerated accession could disrupt the agricultural market. Therefore, transitional arrangements and phased models are being discussed, in which access to the internal market is gradually expanded step by step.