Ukraine aims to make 25% of farmland organic

Twenty-five percent of Ukraine’s farmland should eventually have organic status, said Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture Taras Vysotskyi during the “Organic Day in Ukraine” conference.

According to him, Ukraine has consistently ranked among the top five suppliers of organic products to the EU for many years. Currently, Ukraine has 260 certified operators complying with national organic legislation and 436 certified under EU and/or US legislation.

“Despite today’s challenges, participants in the organic sector continue their work, and this brings results. For example, there are now two certification bodies operating in Ukraine, confirming growing demand and interest from producers. Around 350,000 hectares of farmland already hold organic status, which is about 1.2% of Ukraine’s total farmland. Our goals are ambitious — first to reach 5%, and then 25%, as foreseen in EU countries,” Vysotskyi said.

He added that active work is ongoing to align Ukraine’s organic legislation with the EU’s new regulations. Draft law No. 13204-1 is being prepared for a second reading and “has every chance of being adopted this autumn.”