Ukraine will be able to export up to 50 million tons of grain in 2023

Ukraine will be able to export to world markets up to 50 million tons of grain and oilseed crops of the 2023 harvest and about 10 million tons of vegetable oils and meal. As reported in the Ukrainian Grain Association, it was planned to export approximately 5 million tons per month. At the same time, through the sea corridor and through the western borders, Ukraine will be able to export about 6 million tons of grain every month. This was already done in November of this year.

In general, in 2023, Ukraine was able to maintain its status as the breadbasket of the world, as farmers grew 81 million tons of grain and oil crops, with domestic consumption of 23-24 million tons. Currently, Ukraine produces 3-4 times more agricultural crops and processed products than it consumes, so the agricultural sector is clearly export-oriented.

It should be noted that the European Commission is currently advocating the preservation of the Agreement on the Liberalization of Freight Transportation between Ukraine and the EU, which exempts Ukrainian drivers from the need to obtain permits for international transportation. As European Commissioner Adina Velyan said, the dispute between Ukraine and the European Commission is unfair, carriers are suffering at the border, and the external borders of the European Union are becoming hostages. Therefore, the idea of returning the permits is unacceptable, since it was for this purpose that the permits were refused at the ZhS. At the same time, the European Commissioner supported the meeting of the joint committee initiated by Poland, within the framework of which it is possible to discuss problems related to the operation of the Agreement, however, Adina Velyan considers these discussions to be appropriate "after the resolution of the critical situation at the border", in the delay of which she again criticized the Polish authorities.

In turn, the representative of the Polish Ministry of Infrastructure noted that Warsaw still hopes for the support of the European Commission in the matter of returning permits. The Ministry of Infrastructure of Poland emphasized that the problem exists and will deepen over time, and therefore it "cannot be swept under the carpet", citing statistics according to which before the introduction of the "transport visa-free" Polish companies carried out almost 40 percent of transport between Poland and Ukraine, and now - four times less.

And in Ukraine, the issue of unblocking transportation across the western border is now acute. According to the State Customs Service, in November of this year, the volume of exports of Ukrainian products reached 9.2 million tons. The Government emphasized that they are actively working to solve the problem, and currently there are reasons to hope that thanks to this dialogue, both sides will be able to resolve the situation. Next year, the Government will expand business support programs, primarily those working in the processing sector and manufacturing products with added value. Next year, the government plans to focus on supporting large investment projects and the development of industrial parks.