Albania is considering importing beef, lamb, and processed products from Ukraine, and also wants to increase exports of root vegetables to the Ukrainian market, according to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food following a meeting between its head, Vitaliy Koval, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to Ukraine, Ernal Fil.
The minister noted that in 2025, Ukraine shifted its state policy towards livestock farming and began to increase the production of cattle, red meat, and processed products, which attracted the interest of Albania, where demand for meat products has grown due to an increase in tourism.
“Albania is interested in importing meat (beef and lamb) and processed products from Ukraine. At the same time, they want to increase the supply of root vegetables to the Ukrainian market, especially in February-May, when we have less of our own. To do this, certain trade procedures between the countries need to be simplified,” Koval said.
The parties agreed at the ministerial level to discuss steps to strengthen cooperation in the agricultural sector at the embassies.
The head of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy emphasized that, in addition to cooperation in the agricultural sector, Ukraine and Albania have many points of contact. In particular, the agricultural sector accounts for a significant share of GDP in both countries and provides employment for a large number of people.
To intensify cooperation, Koval proposed holding the inaugural meeting of the Ukrainian-Albanian Joint Commission this year.
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) expects a significant increase in grain, oilseeds and vegetable harvests in 2025, in the range of 10-17%.
“As for grains, we expect a 12% increase in harvests, 10% in oilseeds, and 17% in vegetables and potatoes,” said NBU Deputy Governor Sergiy Nikolaychuk at a press briefing on Thursday.
According to him, spring frosts and potentially prolonged periods of drought could negatively affect the yields of certain crops and put some pressure on prices, and this is considered a risk.
At the same time, according to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, there is no significant damage to crops from frost, the NBU Deputy Governor noted.
“Therefore, I would like to reiterate our thesis that a significant slowdown in food inflation in the second half of the year is one of the important factors behind the overall slowdown in inflation in the second half of the year. And, in fact, this is our baseline scenario,” Mr. Nikolaychuk emphasized.
According to him, after the prices for agricultural products rose quite significantly last year, the potential for further price increases, even if negative risks materialize, will be limited by the relevant imports.
The NBU deputy governor added that the current harvest forecast is not much different from the one published in January.
Mr. Nikolaychuk emphasized that according to the operational data coming from the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, no serious damage to crops due to frost has been recorded so far.
As reported, this year’s planting season is 20.6% behind last year’s. As of April 11, Ukraine sowed more than 1 million hectares of spring grains and legumes.
Vitmark-Ukraine has begun production of vegetable milk under the brand Vega Milk at a factory in Odesa region.
According to the company’s press release, Vitmark-Ukraine built a plant in Odesa region for EUR 5 million with a full cycle of vegetable milk production. The plant is equipped with equipment from Sweden, it also has its own storage workshops, processing equipment, aseptic packaging bottling lines. The plant processes oats, buckwheat, and wheat.
“Our business specializes in juices, drinks and baby food. Having opened the alternative milk line, we launched an extremely promising start-up – the innovative FoodTech, which combines technology and science,” President of Vitmark-Ukraine Vitaliy Vinnytsky said.
The company noted that within a few weeks it will be possible to find up to 11 names of Vega Milk vegetable milk in stores in Ukraine: on the basis of cereals, nuts and with the addition of fruits.
Vitmark-Ukraine indicated that alternative milk from herbal ingredients has shown rapid growth in recent years as a category, especially in North America and Europe.
“Some $40 billion is the approximate amount the experts estimate the world market of vegetable milk by 2024,” the company said.
