Alex Lissitsa: “The future of European and Ukrainian agriculture is partnership for a stronger and more resilient agricultural sector”

“The future of European and Ukrainian agriculture is not a confrontation between Ukraine and the EU, but a partnership for a stronger and more resilient agricultural sector,” emphasized President of UCAB Alex Lissitsa during the panel discussion “Ukrainian Agriculture in Transition: Strategic Directions, Agri-Food Development and Modern Food Production Systems” at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026.

Today, Ukrainian agribusiness operates in unique and extremely difficult conditions. The main characteristic of the industry right now is unprecedented resilience. Farmers have to adapt to new threats, develop anti-drone protection for machinery and silos, and invest in the security of infrastructure and people’s lives. However, despite the war, Ukraine continues to produce, export, and maintain leading positions on global markets, ensuring food security for millions of people.

At the same time, the Ukrainian agricultural sector has to debunk common myths in Europe that it consists exclusively of large agricultural holdings allegedly aiming to flood the European market with cheap products. In reality, Ukrainian agriculture is extremely diverse: alongside large enterprises, there are millions of household farms, as well as thousands of small and medium-sized farms. Furthermore, due to rising logistics costs, local processing, bakeries, and other production facilities are actively developing in the regions, forming new supply chains of high-quality products for the domestic market.

“Currently, European integration is the absolute strategic goal of the Ukrainian agricultural sector, the state, and the economy. But we are moving towards the European Union not as competitors, but as strategic partners. Ukraine’s accession to the EU is not a zero-sum game, but an opportunity to make Europe stronger on global markets and jointly guarantee global food security. At the same time, Ukraine does not ask for concessions or special treatment. Farmers are ready to fulfill all European requirements, but they need a transparent, predictable path to membership and a clear roadmap,” – Alex Lissitsa.