European Commission to assess Ukraine’s harvest and logistics before deciding on new aid for farmers

The European Commission will assess Ukraine’s harvest prospects, storage capacity and export logistics before deciding on additional support for the agricultural sector, European Commission agriculture spokeswoman Louise Bogi said at a briefing in Brussels, Interfax-Ukraine reported.

She confirmed that the European Commission had received Ukraine’s request for €220 million in support for farmers who have suffered losses due to disruptions to agricultural exports via the Black Sea.

According to Bogi, before taking further decisions on support for Ukraine, including a possible expansion of trade quotas or development of the Solidarity Lanes, the European Commission needs to assess several key factors.

“First, we need to see how the Ukrainian harvest will progress over the coming months. Second, we need to see how this aligns with the availability of storage facilities, and third, we need a clear overview of export logistics, including Black Sea routes and the current functionality of the Solidarity Lanes,” Bogi said.

At the same time, she stressed that the updated Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area between Ukraine and the EU provides a stable and predictable trade regime for both Ukrainian and European farmers.

According to Bogi, the European Union will continue to support Ukraine’s access to international markets, as preserving the export potential of Ukrainian agricultural and food products is important both for the country’s economy and global food security.