Finnish institutions and companies proposed concrete projects to rebuild irrigation and boost agrilogistics. The talks emphasized rapid certification and EU market access.
Finnish state institutions and business view Ukraine as a reliable partner for the restoration and modernization of the agricultural sector.
According to the Ministry of Economy, a meeting took place between Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture Taras Vysotsky with a public-private delegation from Finland.
The delegation included representatives from the National Emergency Supply Agency (NESA), the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Finnish Food Safety Authority, and private companies.
Despite more than $11 billion in direct losses due to Russian attacks and the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, Ukraine’s agricultural sector remains stable and attracts the attention of global players in the food system.
At the meeting, the parties discussed the consequences of the dam’s destruction for agricultural production and water supply in the southern regions. Thus, due to a lack of reliable irrigation, about 1.5 million hectares of land have been preserved.
The Finnish side highly appreciated Ukraine’s ability to maintain the normal functioning of the agro-sector, logistics and supply chains during the war, and expressed interest in developing joint projects.
Among the planned cooperation areas are water infrastructure, agrologistics, storage and transportation of grain, food processing, environmental technologies and the circular economy.
“We fully meet domestic needs and continue to contribute to global food security. At the same time, it is clear that reconstruction is needed, and it entails a deep modernization of production, logistics, and water infrastructure. Finland has significant experience in crisis management, technological solutions, and ensuring the operation of critical systems. Therefore, we see great potential for joint projects and investments”
– said Vysotsky
European Integration and Certification
The parties also discussed European integration issues for the agricultural sector, in particular the harmonization of production standards and the expansion of Ukrainian products’ access to the EU market.
Ukraine is also engaging in dialogue with the Finnish side to accelerate the certification of Ukrainian products, which should broaden opportunities for domestic producers.
In particular, around 100 bills necessary for Ukraine’s European integration have been registered in the Verkhovna Rada and are awaiting consideration.
The meeting underlines the mutually beneficial prospects for cooperation and a joint approach to the restoration and modernization of Ukraine’s agricultural sector.