No consensus yet between Ukraine and EU on sugar and bioethanol export quotas — Vysotskyi

Despite agreement on most points, Ukraine and the European Union have yet to reach a consensus on export quota volumes for sugar and bioethanol, said First Deputy Economy Minister Taras Vysotskyi, according to Forbes Ukraine.

"We currently have no consensus on the quota volumes for sugar and bioethanol exports. We are capable of exporting more than the revised agreement allows," he stated.

The new trade agreement has already been drafted and is awaiting final approval from the European Commission. It is expected to remain in force until 2028 and, according to Vysotskyi, will help avoid disruptions in exports and losses previously estimated at $3.5 billion.

"We’ve agreed on quota increases for almost all product groups; the rest will remain at last year’s levels," he added. However, the EU is not prepared to fully open its market, particularly in sectors it considers sensitive.

Ukraine, for its part, was ready to open its market completely to European goods—on the condition of reciprocal steps by the EU.