In 2024, Ukraine was able to reduce the burden on the borders of neighboring countries and returned to historical logistics routes - 88% of all agricultural products are shipped through Ukrainian ports, said Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Vitaliy Koval at a meeting of the Council on Agriculture and Fisheries (AGRIFISH) in Brussels.

"We are ready to be predictable and honest in our approaches. It is important for us to extend preferences for trade in agricultural products after June 2025, for the period until the end of the war and the transition period after it. I asked fellow ministers to support us on this issue," he wrote on Telegram.

Koval reminded the EU agricultural ministers that Ukraine is a large market for European goods used in agricultural production. For example, the import component in the entire Ukrainian agricultural sector is 61%, or $10 billion. These are seeds, plant protection products, machinery, fertilizers. In addition, the import of finished European products to Ukraine amounted to $6.95 billion.

The minister emphasized that Ukrainian and European farmers work in conditions of unequal competition - under shelling, constant threat of crop destruction, warehouses without electricity - but at the same time ensure food security for Ukraine and other countries in need. Therefore, Ukraine is a partner for Europe, not a threat, Koval emphasized.

He also raised the issue of disinformation and asked fellow ministers to debunk the myths that the enemy is spreading in the information field, in particular that Ukrainian products allegedly flood European markets, while in fact they make up only a small part of total consumption in Europe.

"Once again I thanked the European partners for their support. I urged them to remember that food is about peace, security and development. Ukraine is about friendship and strengthening the EU. I am sure that only together we can do more," Koval summed up.