The Ukrainian agricultural sector is facing significant challenges due to the need to adapt to European Union standards regarding the use of plant protection products. According to experts, an immediate ban on active substances that are not permitted in the EU could have serious economic consequences for the country.
This is reported by Finway
Potential Losses for Ukrainian Agriculture
The total area of agricultural land in Ukraine is about 24.5 million hectares. Of these, approximately 10 million hectares could become unprofitable or lose yield due to the immediate implementation of EU requirements for plant protection products. Annual crop losses could reach 14 million tons, and economic damages in just one year could exceed $4.3 billion. Ukraine’s export positions are particularly at risk: shipments of wheat and sunflower oil could decrease by 34%, while rapeseed could drop by 22%.
Challenges of Eurointegration for Farmers
According to EU legislation, only those agrochemicals that are officially approved within the Union are allowed for use. However, Ukraine currently uses a broader range of active substances. By the time of EU membership, the use of non-compliant products will need to be halted. This step requires careful preparation, as no EU country has previously implemented such a ban all at once, instead introducing changes gradually.
The discussion revolves around the fact that EU legislation interprets the possibility of using only those products that are permitted in the EU, while Ukrainian farmers utilize a broader range of substances. By the time Ukraine joins the European Union, these need to be banned. This is one of the biggest challenges for the Ukrainian agricultural sector, as no EU country has done this all at once; all have moved gradually.
Leading agricultural associations insist on the necessity of a gradual transition to EU standards, proposing to allocate at least 10 years for this after the start of the eurointegration processes. Such a phased approach will help minimize risks to yield and the stability of Ukrainian agricultural exports.