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Ukrainian agri-sector prepares for EU acquis adoption: government launches a series of regional dialogues with businesses in Vinnytsia

28.01.2026 Press and information team of the Delegation to UKRAINE

On 27 January 2026, the event "Agricultural sector on the way to the EU: where we are and what’s ahead" was held in Vinnytsia. It launched a series of regional dialogues between the government and business, focusing on the negotiations for Ukraine's accession to the EU, key changes for the agricultural sector, steps to prepare businesses for the EU acquis adoption, and coordination regarding regulatory changes and transitional periods.

Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Taras Kachka (online), Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine Taras Vysotsky, member of the Verkhovna Rada and the Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy Mykola Kucher, Head of the Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration Nataliia Zabolotna and Deputy Head for European Integration Andrii Kavunets, representatives of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, international organisations, financial institutions, agro-industrial associations and regional agribusiness took part in the event, discussing the following topics: 

  • The current stage of Ukraine's preparation for EU accession and the next steps to EU membership;
  • Adaptation of Ukraine's agricultural sector to the EU acquis and Single Market;
  • Shaping Ukraine's future agri-food policy in the context of EU integration;
  • Investment opportunities and financial support instruments for businesses to prepare for accession.
  • The role of the state, business and international partners in implementing reforms and modernising the agricultural sector.

Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka shared an update on the status of negotiations on Ukraine's EU accession and further steps towards EU integration reforms.

“This is a year of intense internal work for us. We are focusing on harmonising legislation within the NPAA, strengthening institutional capacity where necessary, as well as on the practical implementation of European rules, procedures and control systems on which the functioning of the EU Single Market is based. This is not about formal changes. The key issue is how institutions work in practice, how rules are applied and how a system of control and trust is formed, without which full integration into the European market is impossible,” the deputy prime minister noted.

“European integration of the agricultural sector is a practical task for Ukraine that has stages. In 2025, Ukraine successfully passed the screening for three chapters of the negotiation process with the EU. The legislative framework for implementing key elements of the EU Common Agricultural Policy, including strategic planning, the Paying Agency and digital tools, has already been created. The next step is to prepare a national CAP strategic plan involving farmers and regions and taking into account national interests. This will allow us to move from short-term solutions to seven-year planning, integrate environmental and climate goals and provide long-term support for farmers on the path to EU membership," Taras Kachka emphasised

Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine Taras Vysotsky focused on the practical consequences for the agricultural sector of implementing European legislation.

“The agricultural sector is one of the key pillars of the stability of the Ukrainian economy and the stability of the macro-financial system, one of the largest employers in the country, generates a significant part of GDP, and also acts as a guarantee of the stability of communities and regions. This sector was once called a locomotive, but in recent years it has become a real tractor of the Ukrainian economy. This is also a sector that forms Ukraine’s international reputation as a reliable supplier of food for both Europe and the whole world, feeding about 400 million people every year. Our task is to make European integration an opportunity for modernisation and growth, and not an additional stress test for survival,” Taras Vysotsky emphasised.

MP Mykola Kucher emphasised the importance of the consistency of regulatory decisions with Ukraine's negotiating position.

"Accession to the EU is not only the adoption of critically important laws. It is a fundamental change in approaches to working with laws and by laws. The Verkhovna Rada is making its contribution to this process. On the path to European integration, complex laws have already been adopted, in particular on the paying agency, as well as on veterinary medicine and animal welfare. But the law is only the first step. Now it is important to ensure institutional capacity and implementation. This is our key task even before official accession to the EU," the MP noted.

Henrik Huitfeldt, Head of the Public Finance, Business Support and Social Policies Section of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, emphasised that the EU remains a reliable partner of Ukraine and continues to provide significant political, humanitarian and financial assistance to the state.

“Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, the EU has put €230 million behind Ukraine’s farmers, keeping production going, restoring rural livelihoods, and clearing mined farmland. It’s also unlocking investment and finance to help farms and agri-businesses modernise. All of this is part of the EU’s push to support the further integration of Ukraine into the EU market.”

In her welcoming speech, Head of Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration Nataliia Zabolotna noted that holding the first of a series of regional dialogues with business in Vinnytsia is a landmark event that underlines the strategic importance of the Vinnytsia region as one of the main agrarian regions of Ukraine.

“The issues of achieving food security in Ukraine are a priority for the development of the region. According to 2025  figures, the region is among the top five regions of Ukraine in growing grain, sugar beet and sunflower. Livestock breeding is actively developing in the region, which ensures the satisfaction of consumer demand. Agricultural production in the region today unites large agricultural corporations, medium and small producers. All their interests must be taken into account when implementing the strategic development goals of the Vinnytsia region. At the same time, we are clearly aware that the path to the EU brings not only new opportunities, but also serious challenges, primarily for agrarian business. This is enormous joint work on adapting to European standards of quality, safety, environmental friendliness and management. The process requires knowledge, dialogue, clear guidelines, and mutual support," the head of the OVA emphasised.

The panel discussions also addressed cross-sectoral changes related to the adaptation of the agri-food sector to the requirements of the European Union and the practical experience of EU member states in implementing relevant reforms. Participants discussed the harmonisation of agricultural policy with the environmental, sanitary, phytosanitary and financial requirements of the EU, as well as the impact of these changes on production processes, supply chains and the competitiveness of Ukrainian products.

A separate discussion focused on investments and business support tools as Ukraine prepares for its integration into the European Union. Participants focused on financing opportunities for agricultural producers, the role of international financial institutions, lending and guarantee programmes, and mechanisms for attracting private investment to modernise production, increase sustainability, and comply with European standards.

The event was organised by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, jointly with the Ukraine2EU programme, in cooperation with the Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration and in partnership with the Recovery and Reform Delivery Office of Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.