From 5 June 2024, updated rules on duty-free and quota-free trade in agricultural products with the EU will come into force and remain in effect for one year. Quotas have been set for certain agricultural products based on the average harvest figures for the second half of 2021 and the years 2022–2023.

This was announced by Taras Vysotsky, Acting Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, according to ProAgro Group, citing information from the ministry.

This applies to six types of products: sugar, eggs, poultry meat, maize, cereals and honey. Meanwhile, the quota for sugar exports to the EU, set at 262,000 tonnes, has already been exhausted.

“From 1 June, the Government has introduced a zero quota on sugar, which will remain in force until the end of the year. However, Ukrainian agricultural producers continue to export sugar to countries in Africa, the Middle East,

the UK,” noted Taras Vysotsky, adding that there is sufficient sugar production for domestic consumption.

He emphasised that the EU is Ukraine’s largest trading partner. In 2023, around 60% of agricultural produce was exported to EU countries.

Taras Vysotsky also said that laws ensuring mechanisms for transparent and unhindered exports would soon come into force.

“The new legislative changes provide for the establishment of minimum export prices for cereals, oilseeds, nuts and honey. A traceability system for produced goods will also be launched at the State Agency for Food. The Ministry of Agrarian Policy is developing an implementation plan for these changes, which will be published for public consultation,” the acting minister emphasised.