The development of local grape varieties in Ukraine is already moving from the level of professional discussion to practical implementation and is becoming one of the key areas for enhancing the competitiveness of Ukrainian winemaking, building regional brands, and promoting high-value-added products in domestic and international markets.
This was discussed during the National Roundtable “Local Grape Varieties: Heritage, Sustainability, and Rural Development,” organized by the UKRSADVINPROM Association to mark the 10th anniversary of the Association’s activities.
Participants in the event noted that local grape varieties are already becoming for Ukrainian producers not only an agricultural resource but also an element of cultural heritage, regional identity, and the future export specialization of Ukrainian winemaking. It is precisely around these varieties that the new identity of Ukrainian wine is taking shape—with its own history, origin, taste, and distinctiveness.
Volodymyr Pechko, Chairman of the “UKRSADVINPROM” Public Association, emphasized that Ukrainian winemaking already has its own foundation for development, and this foundation is linked to the promotion of domestic grape varieties. According to him, the flagship and ambassadorial varieties of Ukrainian wine could be, first and foremost, “Odesa Black” and “Sukholymansky,” which reflect Ukrainian breeding, authenticity, and the country’s wine identity.
Special attention was given to the creation of a Vineyard Register and the conduct of a comprehensive inventory of vineyards in accordance with EU approaches. This work is intended to serve as a practical foundation for Ukraine’s further integration into the European system of support for viticulture and winemaking, as well as for the potential use of EU financial instruments following the country’s accession to the European Union.
Pechko also reported that approximately 10,000 hectares are currently under vineyards in Ukraine. According to him, the reduction in vineyard acreage requires additional attention from the government and the industry, as it is impossible to ensure the stable growth of winemaking without preserving and developing the raw material base.
Interest from retailers and the HoReCa sector in local producers is already becoming an important factor for the Ukrainian wine market. Olena Gordon, a representative of the “Ukraine Food Retail Alliance” (UFRA)—which includes leading Ukrainian food retail chains such as ATB-Market, Silpo, VARUS, NOVUS, and KOLO—noted that local producers can enter retail chains provided they meet standards and are ready to scale up production.
This factor is particularly important for craft wineries, which are already creating a strong local product and have their own history, but face the chains’ requirements regarding supply stability, quality, safety, documentation, and production traceability.
Representatives of the restaurant and hotel sectors, in turn, noted that Ukrainian consumers’ interest in domestic wines is already growing. There is potential for promoting Ukrainian wine both domestically and abroad; however, strengthening the industry’s position requires systematic promotion—participation in international exhibitions, professional presentations, tastings, and “blind tastings,” which allow for an objective demonstration of product quality.
Wine tourism is already emerging as a distinct promotional tool. Festivals, tastings, and the development of wine routes help forge an emotional connection between producers and consumers, introduce Ukrainian wine to a wider audience, and create additional opportunities for the development of rural areas.
According to the participants, craft winemaking requires a distinct approach to regulation and development, as it cannot be evaluated using the same criteria as mass industrial production. For the sector to grow, it is important to foster a culture of Ukrainian wine consumption, support local producers, and develop the domestic market, which can serve as a foundation for future exports.
Mykola Patyka, Vice President of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, highlighted the role of science in preserving and developing the genetic potential of Ukrainian grape varieties. Scientific support, breeding, research into the adaptability of varieties, and work with genetic resources are essential for ensuring that local varieties become not only part of the country’s heritage but also a competitive product in the modern market.
The development of local grape varieties is already laying the groundwork for the emergence of new regional brands and geographical indications, the revitalization of rural areas, and increased recognition of Ukrainian products in international markets. For the industry, this means a shift from the general idea of promoting Ukrainian wine to a more specific model—one with its own varieties, origin, history, quality standards, and distribution channels.
The “UKRSADVINPROM” General Association is an industry association operating in the fields of horticulture, viticulture, and winemaking. The organization brings together market participants, takes part in industry discussions, promotes the interests of Ukrainian producers, and supports the development of high-value-added products. In 2026, the Association celebrated its 10th anniversary.
GRAPES, local variety, UKRSADVINPROM, WINE, WINEMAKING, ПЕЧКО
GS “UKRSADVINPROM” celebrated its 10th anniversary by hosting a national roundtable titled “Local Grape Varieties: Heritage, Sustainable Development, and Rural Development.”
The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine, industry associations, academia, the retail sector, the HoReCa sector, winemaking enterprises, and experts from the agricultural sector.
Deputy Minister Denys Bashlyk congratulated the Union on behalf of the ministry, noting UKRSADVINPROM’s contribution to the development of horticulture, viticulture, and winemaking in Ukraine.
Roundtable participants discussed the development of local grape varieties as a means of preserving Ukrainian identity, cultural heritage, and regional distinctiveness. It was noted that the competitiveness of Ukrainian winemaking should be built not only around the “Made in Ukraine” principle but also around the “Developed in Ukraine” approach, where domestic breeding achievements become part of the national brand.
Particular attention was paid to the need to create a Grape Register and conduct a comprehensive inventory of vineyards in accordance with EU approaches. Meeting these requirements could open up access for Ukraine to European industry support instruments following the country’s accession to the European Union.
Vladimir Pechko, Chairman of the “UKRSADVINPROM” Public Association, noted an alarming trend of shrinking vineyard areas. According to him, approximately 10,000 hectares are currently under vine in Ukraine, a situation that requires additional attention from both the government and the industry.
Participants in the event also emphasized the importance of supporting Ukrainian producers amid the war, developing craft winemaking, promoting Ukrainian wines in domestic and international markets, and enabling producers to participate in international exhibitions, professional presentations, and tasting events.
The “UKRSADVINPROM” General Association brings together participants in the horticulture, viticulture, and winemaking sectors; it participates in promoting Ukrainian products, developing industry policy, and protecting the interests of producers.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed the European integration law No. 3928-IX “On Grapes, Wine and Viticulture Products,” the press service of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy reports.
According to the report, the law was adopted to bring the norms of sectoral legislation in line with the requirements of international rules for the production of viticulture and winemaking products, as well as to implement the provisions of the European Union’s regulations on viticulture and winemaking, oenological practices, production of flavored wine products, use and protection of geographical indications of wines, flavored wine products, and control in this area.
The document provides for the introduction in Ukraine of requirements for the production and circulation of wines, viticulture and winemaking products, and flavored wine products with geographical indications similar to current rules in the EU.
In addition, the law provides for the definition of a mechanism for the protection of geographical indications in Ukraine, the introduction of new terms and definitions in accordance with the categories of European legislation, and the implementation of the rule on labeling and presentation of wine products.
The document establishes the principles for conducting inspections of wine production from the vineyard to the final product, defines controlling institutions and their powers, and specifies sanctions for violations of the requirements established by law.
Ukraine will create a unified state information system, the Viticulture and Winemaking Register, and provide for the possibility of state support for viticulture and winemaking.
It is expected that the law will help provide citizens with high-quality products produced in accordance with international rules with special properties due to the natural conditions of the territory of origin. New jobs and favorable conditions for the development of business entities of all forms of ownership will be created in rural areas.
The law will come into force on January 1, 2026.
The draft law “On grapes and wine products” (#9139) the government registered in the Verkhovna Rada on March 22 aims to implement relevant EU regulations on winegrowing and winemaking, enological practices, production of flavored wine products, use and protection of geographical indications of wine.
“At the same time, the purpose of the bill is to create a unified state information system “Vine and Wine Register”, which will include information on: producers of grapes; wine products; vineyard plots; mandatory declarations and other data on wine products provided by this law, the introduction of information in which is mandatory, ensuring the effective administration and state support of the viticulture and wine industry,” – also stated in the explanatory
The document implies the introduction of requirements for the production and circulation of wines, products of viticulture and winemaking, flavored wine products with geographical indications, similar to the current rules in the EU. In particular, blending of wine produced in Ukraine with imported wine as well as wine produced outside Ukraine is not allowed.
In addition, the bill provides for the possibility of state support for viticulture and winemaking in the framework of the general laws “On state support of agriculture” and “On the specifics of insurance of agricultural products with state support” without any details, except for the principles of objectivity, equality and proportionality.
The document also contains the principles of inspection of wine production from the vine bush to the final product, defines the controlling institutions and their powers and specifies sanctions, the explanatory note states.
Grape processing in Ukraine in 2020 decreased by 38.8% compared to 2019, to 75,980 tonnes, according to the State Statistics Service.
According to its data, of the total number of grapes processed into winemaking materials, the enterprises directly grew 27.4%, or 20,800 tonnes, and the rest of the raw materials were purchased from households.
In Odesa region in 2020, some 56,400 tonnes of grapes were processed and in Mykolaiv region 15,400 tonnes, which is less than in 2019 by 32.4% and 26.7% respectively.
The main varieties of processed grapes remain Cabernet Sauvignon with 13% (less by 23.5% compared to 2019), Muscat with 10.4% (less by 5.4%), Chardonnay with 9.9% (less by 33.6%) and Aligote with 9.5% (less by 48.7%).
The service said that the production of winemaking materials in 2020 decreased by 41.2% compared to 2019, to 5.68 million decaliters. At the same time, the production of table wine decreased by 42.5%, to 3.58 million decaliters, champagne and sparkling wines by 28.2%, to 1.36 million decaliters, and the production of cognac fell by about 90.5%, to 230,000 decaliters.
The decline in grape processing was reported to be mainly caused by adverse weather conditions. Grape growers in Odesa region complained about the dry winter and spring of 2020 with insufficient rainfall.
According to the State Customs Service, exports of Ukrainian wine and grape must in 2020 increased in quantity terms by 88.7%, to 16,620 tonnes, and in monetary terms by 9.6% to $13.08 million.
At the same time, the export volumes were significantly lower than imports, which last year increased by 15.6% in quantity terms, to 64,430 tonnes, and in monetary terms by 22.1%, to $179.23 million.
Exports of vermouth and other grape wine in 2020 amounted to 460 tonnes for $1.09 million (less by 23.7% and 34.8% respectively), while their imports to 3,790 tonnes for $8.09 million (an increase in quantity terms by 1.4% and a decrease in monetary terms by 12.6%).
Grapes processing in Ukraine last year (excluding the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea and Sevastopol, part of the JFO area) increased by 1.2% compared with 2017, to 274,052 tonnes.
According to the State Statistics Service, out of the total amount of grapes processed for wine materials, 26.2% were actually harvested by enterprises, and the rest was purchased from households.
Odesa region last year processed 52.2% of grapes, Mykolaiv region some 35.8%, while Kherson 10.8% of the total volume.
Wine production in 2018 rose by 5.5% compared with 2017, to 19.75 million decaliters, of which 47% are table wine materials, 25.7% materials for champagne and sparkling wine, and 25.3% are wine materials for cognac.
