Ukraine Must Return to Trade Liberalization of Corn with the European Union
Ukraine aims to restore and enhance trade with European Union countries in the agricultural sector, particularly regarding corn exports, which have been restricted due to martial law and liberalization policies prior to the full-scale aggression by Russia. This was stated by Taras Kachka, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine and the country’s trade representative, at the international conference Black Sea Grain 2025.
This is reported by AgroReview
Challenges and Prospects of Ukrainian Corn Exports to the EU
According to him, negotiations on trade agreements with the European community often only establish legal frameworks that do not reflect the actual state of the market.
“For example, in the free trade agreement with the European Union, concluded back in 2009-2010, a tariff quota for corn exports was set at 650 thousand tons with a duty of over 100 euros per ton. However, in practice, such restrictions did not exist: Ukrainian agricultural producers regularly exported larger volumes,” – he explains.
Kachka emphasizes that before the Russian invasion, Ukraine had set record export figures for corn to the European Union. In 2021, the export volume reached 14 million tons.
The Real Situation and Demand for Ukrainian Corn in Europe
The trade representative notes that the actual tariff policy of the EU provides for the absence of duties on corn from any country, thus import demand is very high. “The volume of corn imports into the EU is at least 20-22 million tons, which exceeds Ukrainian exports,” – he emphasizes.
According to Kachka, Ukrainian corn has many advantages: it is geographically close, competitively priced, of high quality, and offers convenient delivery formats. “I believe that by all these criteria we are the best supplier,” – he adds.
However, there are certain interests in relations with EU member states that sometimes create tension. Taras Kachka assures that these contradictions do not affect the volumes of Ukrainian exports.
“We will continue to sell corn, regardless of agreements with the European Union, and we will politically support dialogue with neighboring countries while maintaining export restrictions to them,” – he concludes.