On 10 November 2025, the Society, War and Recovery Research Centre took part in the online seminar “EU–Ukraine Agritech Bridge: Technologies, Standards, Integration”, organised by the International Finance Corporation (IFC, World Bank Group) in partnership with the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic and the Government of the United Kingdom, with the support of UCAB.
The seminar brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers to discuss technological integration, regulatory harmonisation, and trade relations between Ukraine and the European Union in the agricultural sector.
Opening remarks
The event was opened by:
Taras Kachka, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine
Alex Lissitsa, President of UCAB and Chairman of the Board of IMC
Olga Hunger, Regional Director for Eastern Europe, DLG e.V.
Key thematic contributions
Particular attention was given to:
innovative cooling and logistics solutions for the agri-food sector (IFC),
agricultural trade dynamics between Ukraine and the European Union (UCAB).
Key insights
The discussions highlighted the central role of agriculture in Ukraine’s economy:
over 15% of GDP and approximately 60% of foreign currency earnings are generated through agricultural exports;
Ukraine remains a global leader in the production and export of sunflower oil, corn, wheat, rapeseed, and soybeans;
despite the ongoing war, Ukraine continues to play a critical role in European food supply chains, with 51% of agri-exports directed to EU markets in 2024.
At the same time, the seminar addressed structural vulnerabilities linked to import dependence. In 2024, Ukraine imported approximately €9 billion worth of key agricultural inputs and equipment, 66% of which originated from the EU. Major import categories included fuel and lubricants, machinery, fertilisers, crop protection products, and seeds. Key partner countries included Poland, Greece, Germany, Turkey, the United States, Hungary, and China.
Analytical relevance
The seminar reinforced the understanding that Ukraine’s agricultural sector is already deeply embedded in the European economic space. Harmonisation of standards, the development of joint agrarian resource markets, and technological integration are not merely policy objectives but essential components of long-term food security, economic resilience, and competitiveness.
These discussions directly inform the Centre’s research on agricultural economics, EU integration, post-war recovery, and the role of food systems in societal resilience.
