Ukrainian growers will have to seriously overhaul their crop-growing technologies if the country blindly copies EU agrochemical directives — CFG's Shytiuk

If Ukraine blindly adopts the European Union’s agrochemical directives, growers will have to radically revise all crop-growing technologies, says Kostiantyn Shytiuk, COO of Continental Farmers Group.

The company is currently studying EU-approved crop protection schemes and technologies. To remain competitive, Continental continues to use crop protection products that are still permitted in Ukraine.

According to Shytiuk, the biggest impact would be on intensive crops such as sugar beets, rapeseed, and, to some extent, sunflower. Corn and wheat production would be less affected.

“The point is that our costs will rise — anywhere from 40% to 90%, depending on the crop. Perhaps it’s a pessimistic estimate, but in the new reality farmers will have significantly fewer tools at their disposal. Insecticides will be hit hardest, but not only them,” Shytiuk noted.

He added that Continental plans to share with the wider farming community its experience in adopting biological crop protection products.