Ukraine asks EU to ease quota rules for flour and dairy exports

Ukraine has proposed that the European Commission simplify the administration of selected tariff quotas for Ukrainian agri-food products. The proposal primarily concerns flour and dairy products, along with more flexible mechanisms for bioethanol and native starch.

The proposals were discussed in Brussels by Ukraine’s Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Taras Vysotskyi and EU Agriculture and Food Commissioner Christophe Hansen. The aim is to reduce administrative and financial burdens on businesses and support Ukraine’s processing sector.

Ukraine’s Agriculture Ministry says restrictions on seaborne exports and the high cost of alternative logistics are directly reducing farmers’ revenues. This is weakening liquidity and limiting their ability to finance the next production cycle.

The sides also discussed further access for Ukrainian agricultural products to the EU market and possible support mechanisms for producers. Ukraine argues that easier trade conditions should support not only raw commodity exports but also the development of higher-value processed products.

Ukraine is also continuing preparations for integration into the EU’s agricultural policy framework. Key priorities include establishing a Paying Agency, developing the agricultural support administration system, adapting state control mechanisms and digitalising the fisheries sector.

Tags: export, EU, flour, dairy products, Ukraine