Vitalii Koval, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, held talks with his German counterpart, Federal Minister of Agriculture of Germany Jem Ozdemir, in the framework of the international conference Bread of the World 2024.
Vitaliy Koval noted that the main focus of the meeting was the effect of Ukraine – Russian war of the agricultural sector and Germany’s support.
‘I focused on the priorities of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine, namely European integration, development of land reclamation and irrigation, as well as deep processing. German companies can work in partnership with ours to create value-added products in Ukraine,’ said Minister Vitalii Koval.
“We also raised the topic of Ukrainian agricultural exports. We agreed to systematically counter Russian disinformation in the agricultural sector about Ukrainian products. For example, that Ukraine is ‘responsible’ for low wheat prices in Germany. However, last year, our wheat accounted for only 1.8% of Germany’s total imports. Therefore, to believe or spread such propaganda is to play into the hands of Ukraine’s enemies and their desire to split free Europe,’ the head of the Ukrainian ministry added.”
At the meeting, Cem Özdemir announced a specific package of support for farmers from the German Ministry of Agriculture – 900 thousand euros in the form of vouchers for 1625 rural households in the frontline Kherson and Odesa regions. These are earmarked funds for the purchase of seeds and agricultural materials for spring sowing.
Cem Özdemir stressed that the agricultural sector is the backbone of the Ukrainian economy, which is suffering massively from constant and targeted attacks. He assured that Germany will continue to support Ukraine so that we can export our agricultural products and generate income to protect ourselves and our sovereignty. Germany is one of Ukraine’s key partners on the path to the European Union.