Saudi Arabia is interested in cooperation with the Ukrainian agricultural sector

12:51, 17 February 2025

Source: Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine

Vitaliy Koval, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, as part of a government delegation headed by First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko, is on a working visit to Saudi Arabia.

According to the Minister of Agrarian Policy, the purpose of the trip is to strengthen economic relations between the two countries. In particular, several meetings have already been held – with the Ministers of Investment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Khalid Al-Falih and Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadli. The parties discussed the preparation of an economic mission, which will consist of a government delegation and business.

“Representatives of the Ukrainian government delegation also met with Saudi businessmen. There were more than 80 representatives of various business sectors interested in cooperation with Ukraine. I thanked them for their support of our country and for believing in its future despite everything. For example, Continental Farmers Group, a company with Saudi capital that already cultivates 200 thousand hectares of Ukrainian land. They are among the top 10 largest taxpayers in the agricultural sector. Last year, they paid over UAH 1.6 billion in taxes at various levels. And they are planning to expand their capacities. In particular, they plan to grow grain and potatoes in the western regions,” Vitaliy Koval said.

Another example, as the Minister noted, is the Saudi company SALIC, which invested in one of the largest Ukrainian agricultural holdings, MHP, acquiring 12.6% of their shares. In particular, the parties discussed possible expansion of cooperation with the CEO of SALIC.

“It’s nice that the Saudi side sees the prospects for development in Ukraine. We discussed with them the possibility of cooperation in growing crops, veterinary medicine, and feed production. The business also expressed interest in jointly developing beef cattle breeding and organic products. We continue to work. We have dozens of meetings ahead to prepare for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Saudi Arabia,” Vitaliy Koval said.