On October 3, UCAB President Alex Lissitsa gave an overview presentation on the development of Ukraine's agro-industrial sector at the “Austrian-Ukrainian Agrarian Forum” in Vienna. The event took place within the framework of the go-internationalization campaign - a joint initiative of the Austrian Ministry of Labor and Economy and Austrian Economic Chambers.

In his speech, the UCAB President reviewed the historical context of the formation of the Ukrainian agricultural sector, the impact of the war on the industry, economic transformation in connection with today's challenges, as well as spoke about the status of land reform, the importance of risk diversification, the introduction of innovation and European integration reforms.

In particular, the speaker emphasized that Ukrainian agriculture has been one of Ukraine’s most resilient sectors and will continue to play a central role in economic recovery. As one of the world’s top grain and sunflower oil exporters, restoring full agricultural capacity will be key to reviving the economy.

In this context, gradual European integration and EU membership will provide significant benefits for the Ukrainian agribusiness sector:

• Accession to the EU will open up Ukrainian producers to a market of 450 million consumers, which could significantly increase exports and improve economic performance;
• Following the referendum on land ownership for foreigners, European investors may bring significant capital into Ukraine’s agricultural sector, boosting technology adoption, infrastructure development, and productivity;
• Aligning with EU agricultural standards will improve food safety and quality, increasing competitiveness in global markets;
• Accession to the EU can open access to financial resources and subsidies under the EU's Common Agricultural Policy, and international financial institutions can help finance the rehabilitation of Ukraine's agricultural sector.

“Despite the challenges of war, Ukrainian agriculture has shown resilience With targeted investments and modernization, the sector has the potential to grow significantly, improving productivity and sustainability while contributing to Ukraine’s long term economic recovery and integration with the EU. As Ukraine rebuilds its agricultural sector, it is poised to strengthen its role in global food supply chains, becoming a critical player in food security for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa”, – emphasized Alex Lissitsa.