As of September 18, farmers in all regions of Ukraine sowed 1.8 million hectares of winter crops, compared to 1.0487 million hectares last week, the press service of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food reports.
According to the report, winter wheat was sown on 878.8 thousand hectares (340.3 thousand hectares a week earlier), barley – on 45 thousand hectares (16.5 thousand hectares), rye – on 20.7 thousand hectares (3.4 thousand hectares), and rapeseed – on 862.2 thousand hectares (688.4 thousand hectares).
According to the Ministry, the leaders in sowing of winter grains are the farmers of Poltava, Kirovograd and Mykolaiv regions, who planted 944.5 thou hectares.
As of the same date a year earlier, Ukraine planted 2.179 mln ha of winter crops, including 1.038 mln ha of rapeseed, 1.024 mln ha of wheat, 74 thou ha of barley, and 42 thou ha of rye.
The State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Protection (SSUFSCP) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have agreed with the Republic of Albania on two certificates for Ukrainian pet food producers, the agency’s press service reports.
According to the report, a health certificate for canned pet food and a health certificate for chewing items for pets intended for import or transit from Ukraine to Albania have been agreed.
“Opening new markets for Ukrainian exporters is one of the key priorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We are systematically working on this together with the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection. Each new market means new opportunities for domestic producers and strengthening of our economy. This is especially important in times of war,” said Andriy Sybiga, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
“Diversification of international sales markets is the focus of special attention of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection. The development of domestic business largely depends on expanding the geography of exports. That is why we continue to do everything possible to support Ukrainian producers, especially in these difficult times,” said the head of the agency, Serhiy Tkachuk.
The State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection pointed out that the agreed form of the veterinary certificate for these categories of products is published on the official website of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection in the section “International Cooperation” – “Veterinary and Safety” – “Certificates for Export from Ukraine”.
The first step for exporting Ukrainian products of animal origin is a request from the market operator to the territorial authority of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection at the place of location, the agency reminded.
During his visit to the United States, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of Vietnam To Lam to discuss the development of bilateral relations, the increase in trade, and Vietnam’s participation in the post-war recovery of Ukraine.
“We talked about the development of bilateral relations and the increase in trade between our countries, particularly in the agricultural industry. Thank you for your humanitarian support and willingness to join Ukraine’s recovery after the war,” Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram on Wednesday.
Beer production in Ukraine in January-August 2024 reached 98.5 million dal, up 6.7% compared to the same period in 2023, according to the website of the industry organization of brewers Ukrpyvo.
“The expert estimate of beer production in Ukraine (excluding non-alcoholic beer) for 8 months of 2024 amounted to 98.5 million dal, which is 106.7% compared to the same period in 2023. At the same time, this figure is only 80.5% of the production volume for 8 months of 2021,” the report says.
Beer production in Ukraine in 2022 decreased by 27.9% compared to 2021 – to 122.8 million dal.
By the end of 2022, the brewing industry had partially recovered from a 50% drop in production in the first quarter due to the Russian invasion and the shutdown of some breweries. Thus, in the first four months of the year, the decline amounted to 42.8% compared to the same period in 2021, 36.4% in January-May, 32% in January-June, 31.6% in January-July and January-August, 30.5% in January-September, 28.6% in January-October, 28.1% in January-November, and 27.9% in the previous year.
Domestic prices for Ukrainian sugar continue to fall due to trade restrictions imposed by the European Union, and wholesale prices from factories may drop to 18-19 UAH/kg, according to the analytical cooperative “Pusk”, created within the framework of the All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council (AAC).
“Ukrainian sugar remains mostly on the domestic market due to limited exports. Attempts to supply products to Turkey, Macedonia and other countries have not yet allowed to significantly unload stocks. Due to trade restrictions with the EU, which will last until 2025, Ukraine is facing difficulties in exporting sugar,” the analysts explained and added that this trend is likely to continue in the coming months.
According to experts, some factories in Ukraine have already started to reduce prices from the previous 21.50-22 UAH/kg to 21 UAH/kg. They expect that in September-October, prices may fall to 18-19 UAH/kg due to the oversaturation of the domestic market.
At the same time, the global sugar market shows a significant increase in prices due to a number of factors.
“Among the key reasons is a significant drought in Brazil, which has seriously affected sugar cane yields. The situation was further aggravated by large-scale fires that damaged 5 to 8% of the acreage. This has led to a significant increase in the cost of sugar on world markets,” Pusk stated.
During his working visit to New York, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Finnish President Alexander Stubb to discuss the situation on the battlefield, Ukraine’s defense needs, and international cooperation.
According to the press service of the Ukrainian president, “the meeting discussed Ukrainian-Finnish defense cooperation, specifically the joint production of drones and the exchange of experience in this area.”
Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine needs air defense systems, including man-portable air defense systems. He also briefed his interlocutor on the current stage of implementation of the agreements reached during the NATO summit in Washington.
“Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that it is important for Ukraine to obtain permission from its partners and the means to strike deep into Russian territory,” the press service reports.
The parties also discussed what international efforts are needed to achieve a lasting and just peace for Ukraine, as well as the role of the Global South in this process.
