Live Rating: Organic Agricultural Companies of Ukraine

Less than 1% of agricultural land in Ukraine is covered by organic farming. It is not much but it means that there is room for the development of this area of the national agro-industrial complex. The ever-growing number of operators on the organic market proves that it is true.

According to the Economy Ministry of Ukraine and two specialized agencies Organic Standard and Organic Ukraine, the total area of organic farmland in Ukraine amounted to 309.1 thou. ha as of late 2018. In early 2020, there were 597 organic market operators in the country, of which 294 were agricultural enterprises that specialized in growing traditional and niche organic crops and berries.

By the volume of land used for organic farming, Ukraine ranks 11th in Europe and 20th in the world.

Latifundist.com studied the current size of the land bank allocated for organic farming and agricultural production and created a rating of agro-companies specializing in organic farming.

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1. Arnika

Region of operation: Poltava region

Land, thou. ha: 14.99

In total, the agro-industrial group Arnika cultivates about 20 thou. ha of land.

Today, more than 14.99 thou. ha of the land is cultivated according to the EU standard without the usage of prohibited fertilizers and plant protection products (PPPs). More than 9.48 thou. ha currently have a transitional status.

6.3 thou. ha out of this area is 100% certified in compliance with the standards equivalent to the Council regulations (EC) No. 834/2007 and 889/2008 and with Bio Suisse standard (Switzerland).

The first organic crop was harvested in 2015 on the area of 2.2 thou. ha and was certified in accordance with the requirements of the standards equivalent to the Council regulations (EC) No. 834/2007 and 889/2008 and BioSuisse standard, but the harvest of the year 2016 got the additional certification according to the NOP USDA standard.

The organic crop rotation system of the agro-industrial group Arnika consists of soybean, corn, chickpeas, wheat, lentils, flax and technical hemp.

The warehouses of the company have the capacity of storing up to 37 thou. t of organic products.

The agro-industrial group Arnika diversifies its export activity and supplies organic goods to Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and other European countries, as well as New Zealand and Australia. Besides, the company is actively targeting the US and Asian markets.

The volume of export is constantly increasing and during the years 2016-18 amounted to more than 18 thou. t.

2. Galeks Agro

Region of operation: Zhytomyr region

Land, thou. ha: 13.37

Galeks Agro specializes in horticulture and animal husbandry. It owns 2.4 thou. head of cattle, 1.1 thou. head of which is dairy herd. Organic Meat is the company’s brand for beef products; its dairy brand is TM Organic Milk.

The land of Galeks Agro is located in Zhytomyr region. Over 13.37 ha are covered by organic farming. Interestingly, before the company rented the land, it had not been cultivated for more than 20 years.

All the products and production facilities of the company are certified by the Swiss Institute of Environmental Marketing and the International Certification Authority Organic Standard. This proves that the company complies with the requirements set forth in EC-834/2007, 889/2008, the standards of Bio Suisse (Switzerland), and Bioland (Germany).

Galeks Agro exports to Italy, Switzerland, the UK, and other European countries.

3. APC Rodina

Region of operation: Odesa region

Land, thou. ha: 9.99

The Agricultural cooperative Rodina in Odesa region grows grain and industrial crops. It specializes in the cultivation of grapes. Organic production in the cooperative covers 9.99 thou. ha of farmland.

4. Agroekologia

Region of operation: Poltava region

Land, thou. ha: 6.9

Agroekologia company cultivates about 6.9 thou. ha in the Shishatsky and Zenkovsky districts of Poltava region. The gross harvest of its crops is over 10 thou. t.

Agroekologia specializes in the cultivation of grain and industrial crops, dairy and beef cattle, and the production of cereals, vegetable oil and flour.

The production and processing facilities of Agroekologia are certified by Organic Standard according to the requirements equivalent to EU-834/2007, 889/2008 and Bio Suisse (Switzerland).

For more than 40 years, Agroekologia has been using exclusively organic methods of farming. The founder of the enterprise, Hero of Ukraine Semen Antonets is considered the pioneer of organic farming in the country. Under his management, the company switched to waste-free tillage in 1976. Two years later, they abandoned the use of pesticides and in a couple of years replaced mineral fertilizers for organic ones.

The company operates a consulting centre for organic farming.

Since 2014, the company has been exporting its products to Germany and Switzerland.

5. All in foody (former Cepheus Group)

Land, thou. ha: 6.68

All in foody, formerly known as Cepheus Group, started its operation in 2013 by renting the land which had not been cultivated for 20 years. As part of its vertical integration strategy, in summer of 2017, the company launched its own organic brand AllinFoody having presented it for the first time at the largest agricultural exhibition in Ukraine AGRO-2017.

Currently, the land bank of the company constitutes 16 thou. ha, of which 6.68 thou. ha are used for organic production. The crop rotation system of the company includes grain, oilseed and niche crops. All in foody has processing facilities for the production of apple concentrate, as well as a plant for the processing of pumpkin seeds.

The company is certified by Organic Standard in accordance with the regulations equivalent to EC-834/2007 and 889/2008. Besides, the company is getting a Bio Suisse certificate (Switzerland).

Up to 90% of products are exported to Austria, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands.

The company plans to start the production of flour, cereals, herbal tea and vegetable oils.

6. AC Lenina

Region of operation: Kherson region

Land, thou. ha: 6.32

The agricultural cooperative Lenina develops organic farming on 6.32 thou. ha of farmland in the south of Ukraine.

7. Sviatovyt-Eco

Region of operation: Kherson region

Land, thou. ha: 5.77

The agricultural enterprise Sviatovyt-Eco in Kherson region specializes in the wholesale trade of grain, untreated tobacco, seeds and animal feed. The company is also engaged in the cultivation of grain and industrial crops, wholesaling of fruits and vegetables, etc. Organic production is conducted on 5.77 thou. ha.

8. Ritter Bio Agro

Region of operation: Rivne region

Land, thou. ha: 5.5

Ritter Bio Agro was established in 2013 to operate as an organic company. The same year, another agro company in Rivne region Deddence Agro (founded in 2006) was switching to organic farming. Viktor Shcherbachuk is the CEO of the two companies.

The total land bank of this group is 5.5 thou. ha of organic fields.

At the very start, Ritter BioAgro was certified by Organic Standard in accordance with the requirements equivalent to EC-834/2007 and 889/2008. In 2015, it was certified by Naturland and in 2017 — by Bio Suisse. Since then, its export of organic products to Europe has been steadily growing. In 2017, it reached 15 thou. t.

In the structure of the organic crop rotation system, legumes take up to 40%. The agro-enterprise also grows organic crops such as sugar beets, spring and winter wheat, winter rapeseed, rye, oats, soybean, sunflower, corn and alfalfa. The company's production structure includes strawberry and raspberry. In 2020, the Group started a joint pilot project with Granotrade for growing greenery, spices and medicinal herbs (parsley, dill, coriander and nettle) for further drying and export.

9. UkrBioLand

Region of operation: Dnipropetrovsk region

Land, thou. ha: 5.5

UkrBioLand group of companies cultivates more than 5.5 thou. ha of certified organic farmland in Dnipropetrovsk region. The agro group includes 4 companies: Agro Polimerdetal, Kolos, Sputnik, and the Scientific Production Association Sad.

The agro group started its activities in 2003. In 2013, the group became involved in the development of organic production in Ukraine.

The organic crop rotation system of UkrBioLand includes grains (soft wheat, millet, rye, barley), legumes (green lentils, chickpeas, sainfoin), and oilseeds (brown and golden flax, rapeseed).

The company notes that the production of the agro group complies with all international standards. It is certified by the influential certification bodies Control Union Certifications in accordance with the organic standards of the EU and USDA NOP. In 2018, the company was certified for compliance with Bio Suisse standards (Switzerland). Besides, it is planned to apply for certification by the German Naturland.

10. AgroInvest-Natural Products

Region of operation: Chernihiv region

Land, thou. ha: 5.25

According to the certification body Organic Standard, the organic land bank of AgroInvest-Natural Products company is more than 5.25 thou. ha in Chernihiv region.

The production capacities of AgroInvest-Natural Products are certified by Organic Standard according to the standards equivalent to the regulations of EU-834/2007 and 889/2008.

AgroInvest-Natural Products harvests 100% certified crop of oats, peas, potatoes, winter wheat, winter rapeseed and soybean. The land in the transitional state is used for corn production.

11. Biocore Organic

Region of operation: Zhytomyr region

Land, thou. ha: 5.07

The company Biocore Organic operating in Zhytomyr region was registered in 2017.

12. Ros Agro

Region of operation: Kirovohrad region

Land, thou. ha: 4.91

Ros Agro agricultural enterprise in Kirovohrad region was established in 2001. It specializes in grain and oilseed crops production. Wheat, corn, sunflower, soybean and sorghum are Ros Agro's principal crops.

13. EthnoProduct

Region of operation: Chernihiv region

Land, thou. ha: 4

EthnoProduct is a Ukrainian-Swiss company with a closed cycle of organic agricultural production.

The fields of EthnoProduct are located in the northeastern part of Chernihiv region. The company is engaged in crop production and animal husbandry (c.1 thou. head of cattle). Pastures, hayfields and arable land account for about 4 thou. ha of organic land.

The company’s trademark EthnoProduct is used for organic grains and legumes, as well as dairy and meat products.

EthnoProduct started land certification in 2008. Thus, the company’s production and processing facilities are currently certified by Organic Standard according to the regulations equivalent to EC-834/2007 and 889/2008.

14. Zhiva Niva

Region of operation: Zhytomyr region

Land, thou. ha: 2.69

Zhiva Niva specializes in organic farming since 2009. At present, 2.69 thou. ha are cultivated in accordance with the EU standard without using prohibited fertilizers or PPPs. The land is certified by Organic Standard according to the regulations equivalent to EC-834/2007 and 889/2008.

Soybean, sunflower, spelt, buckwheat, rye and phacelia are the main crops in the structure of the company’s crop rotation system. Besides, the farm is engaged in seed production.

During the Soybean AgroExpedition 2016, Zhiva Niva management mentioned its cooperation with Bioland (Germany) and plans to get certified by Bio Suisse (Switzerland).

15. Svarog West Group

Regions of operation: Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, Chernivtsi regions

Land, thou. ha: 2.59

Svarog West Group Corporation aptly demonstrates that Top 100 Latifundists of Ukraine clearly see the prospects of developing organic farming since they aim to fill in the niche.

According to Chief Agronomist Fylymon Antoniuk, apart from traditional farming, the company has been also expanding its organic farming capacities over the past two years. This entails the purchase of machinery that meets the requirements for organic production and building storages and processing facilities for organic products.

The Corporation has established a separate company Lotivka-Organic for the development of the organic branch which deals with production and exports. Another company was established for the same purpose — Agrofirm Hizivshchyna in Zhytomyr region.

In 2019, the volume of farmland certified for organic production totalled 2.59 thou. ha.

Related story: Svarog West Group: Business Card of the Corporation

16. Agrotrade

Regions of operation: Chernihiv, Sumy, Poltava, and Kharkiv regions

Land, thou. ha: 2.55

Agrotrade’s land bank for organic production covers 2.55 thou. ha out of the total of 70 thou. ha.

The group is actively expanding organic farming within its structure since 2015. Lands in Kharkiv region were allocated for this direction and a separate branch was established. After receiving the European Organic Standard certificate in 2017, the first organic harvest was produced.

The industrial (Khleborob LLC, Ukrzernoprom-Shevchenkovo LLC) and commercial (Agrotrade Export LLC) subdivisions of the agrogroup are certified by Organic Standard in accordance with the regulations equivalent to EC-834/2007 and 889/2008. Agrotrade also applied for USDA NOP certification.

In a 2017 interview with Latifundist.com, the Director of Agro-Industrial Department of the Agrotrade group Viktor Kukharchuk noted that the company’s organic land was used for soybean, pumpkin, lentils and flax production. He also specified that the agro group planned to allot up to 10% of the land bank to organic farming.

17. Zakhid Agro

Region of operation: Volyn region

Land, thou. ha: 2.54

The private enterprise Zakhid Agro was established in Volyn region in 2011. The farm cultivates 2.54 thou. ha of organic farmland.

18. TH Elite Seeds

Region of operation: Kirovohrad region

Land, thou. ha: 2.4

The trading house Elite Seeds is engaged in agricultural production on 2.4 thou. ha. The company has 20-year experience in the field. Organic farming, according to the company's owner Oleksandr Kamyshov, covers 2.66 thou. ha.

TH Elite Seeds was certified as an organic agro-enterprise in Bio Inspecta. This organization checks and certifies organic products in accordance with the Decree on Swiss Organic Farming, the EU legislation on organic farming and the instructions of Bio Suisse. So, 2.66 thou. ha of the land bank of this trading house was certified for compliance with standards equivalent to the provisions of EU-834/2007 and 1235/2008. Another 140 ha are in the transition period.

On its organic lands, TH Elite Seeds grows wheat, corn, sunflower, soybean, beans, rapeseed, pumpkin and barley. The agro-enterprise exports organic products to Austria, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Korea.

19. Dibrova Farms

Region of operation: Rivne region

Land, thou. ha: 2.16

The company, which operates in Rivne region, was registered in 2016. The farm cultivates 1.8 thou. ha out of 2.16 thou. ha of the total land bank. Dibrova Farms produces soybeans and industrial hemp, wheat, spelt, peas, rye, millet, and lentils.

20. Danube Agrarian

Region of operation: Odesa region

Land, thou. ha: 1.81

Danube Agrarian is an active participant of main organic events both in Ukraine and abroad. The company’s land is located in Odesa region. The total of 1.81 thou. ha (800 ha are under irrigation) is certified in accordance with the regulations equivalent to EC-834/2007 and 889/2008. The company was also certified by Bio Suisse (Switzerland).

Danube Agrarian is the only certified producer of organic watermelon in Ukraine. The area of its production doubled to 20 ha.

The crop rotation system of the company includes rapeseed, wheat, barley, peas, millet, sunflower, lentils, hard wheat, chickpeas, green peas, vegetables. There is also an organic orchard. Moreover, Danube Agrarian is the only producer of certified organic ducks and sheep in Ukraine. Besides, the company is one of the three largest producers of organic eggs in Ukraine.

Danube Agrarian exports to Austria, Germany, Romania, and the UK.

21. Organic Agro

Region of operation: Ternopil region

Land, thou. ha: 1.77

The company grows wheat, barley, buckwheat, oats, corn and other crops in Ternopil region. Organic Agro was registered in 2012.

22. Makishinsky Garden

Region of operation: Chernihiv region

Land, thou. ha: 1.65

Makishinsky Garden farm cultivates 1650 ha of land in Chernihiv region. The land, production capacities and animal husbandry of the farm are certified by Organic Standard in accordance with the regulations equivalent to EC-834/2007 and 889/2008.

The crop rotation system of the farm includes lentils, cameline, winter triticale, spelt, lupine, mustard, oat, flax, naked oat and millet.

23. BIO FARM ORGANIC

Region of operation: Vinnytsya region

Land, thou. ha: 1.53

BIO FARM ORGANIC group of companies is engaged in organic crop production covering 1.53 thou. ha of certified land. The company was established in 2015.

The agrogroup produces grain crops and potatoes under organic standards. The farm is also engaged in bee-keeping and berry growing.

24. Agrofusion

Regions of operation: Mykolaiv and Kherson regions

Land, thou. ha: 1.2

Integrated Agrosystems, farm enterprise belonging to Agrofusion, is a vertically-integrated group of companies. It cultivates 25.000 ha of irrigated land in Mykolaiv and Kherson regions. Those are the traditional areas for growing tomatoes in Ukraine. The basic crops of the farm include tomatoes, wheat and barley.

The enterprise has introduced organic farming on 1.2 thou. ha of land.

Every season, Agrofusion grows c. 750 thou. t of conventional and organic tomatoes and produces 1.2 thou. t of organic tomato products.

The company’s production capacities are certified according to ISO 9001, FSSC 22 000, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18 001, and Global G.A.P as well as Organic Standard regulations equivalent to EC-834/2007 and 889/2008 in 2017. The company also has an Organic JAS (Japan) certification.

25. Stary Porytsk

Region of operation: Volyn region

Land, thou. ha: 0.95

Stary Porytsk agricultural enterprise uses its entire land bank of 950 hectares in Volyn region for organic farming. This area and the production facilities of the company are certified in accordance with the requirements equivalent to EC-834/2007 and 889/2008 and by Bio Suisse (Switzerland).

Buckwheat, alfalfa, spelt, oats, peas produced at Stary Porytsk are certified as organic products.

The enterprise is also engaged in organic animal husbandry (horses, dairy cattle) and organic dairy production (milk, butter, cheese and whey). The enterprise used to process its milk at the EthnoProduct's facilities. The company launched its own cheese factory and now it produces foodstuffs under the TM Syrna Karta.

Grains and beans produced by Stary Porytsk are exported to Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland. The company exports organically-certified gluten-free spelt, buckwheat, oil flax and two types of fodder legumes to the above-mentioned countries. Two-thirds of the 950 ha of the land bank are allocated for export crops, the remaining area is used to produce feed for livestock.