Agricultural products account for more than half of Ukraine’s exports, so opening new foreign markets for producers remains one of the key tasks of economic diplomacy. Ukraine will work to increase supplies and promote higher value-added goods: poultry, pork, processed food products, and other categories that generate more income within the country.
Key target markets include Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, the United States, and Vietnam. To expand the presence of Ukrainian producers, the state together with businesses will focus on aligning veterinary and sanitary requirements, completing necessary audits, gaining recognition of Ukraine’s control system, and providing diplomatic support for negotiations.
This was discussed during a meeting on expanding the geography of Ukrainian agricultural exports, removing technical barriers for exporters, and opening access to key global markets, chaired by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
Ukraine has already achieved practical results in opening new directions for agricultural exports. In 2025, together with the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, 19 new markets for Ukrainian agricultural products were opened. In 2026, Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Georgia, and Vietnam were added to this list. In total, more than 300 export directions are currently being worked on — from certification approvals to admission procedures for specific product types.
“Agricultural exports amount to more than $22.5 billion, or 56% of Ukraine’s total exports and 17% of GDP. Wheat, corn, sunflower oil, soy — these words have long become synonymous with Ukraine in global trade. We are not just participants in the global market — Ukraine is a guarantor of global food security,” said Andrii Sybiha.
Among concrete results are the restoration of access for the Myronivska Poultry Farm to the Saudi Arabian market, the first-ever remote audit by the European Commission for heat-treated pork, and the establishment of an annual quota of 120,000 tons for poultry meat exports to the EU.
“For Ukrainian producers, an open market means new contracts, stable deliveries, and the ability to expand production in Ukraine. Our priority is markets where Ukrainian higher value-added products can be competitive: poultry, pork, processing, and ready-made food products. Together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Service, and businesses, we are working to approve certificates faster, pass audits, and remove export barriers,” said Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture Taras Vysotskyi.
In addition, participants discussed the ratification of the Free Trade Agreement with Türkiye, including possibilities for liberalizing sugar trade. Other topics included opening EU and Moldovan markets for Ukrainian hatching eggs, biomethane exports to the EU, and maintaining simplified access for Ukrainian goods to EU and UK markets after current trade regimes expire.
