Agro-Region at the DoAgro Conference 2025
12. 12. 25
Yesterday, the DoAgro conference by UCABevent took place — a key dialogue platform for discussing the future of Ukraine’s agricultural sector.
This year, the focus was on systemic solutions: how to build a long-term model for the recovery of the agri-sector, what role Ukraine will play in the European and global food security chain, how cost structures and farm profitability are changing, and what to expect from regulatory initiatives in the coming years.
As commented by Kateryna Rybachenko, Vice President of UCAB:
“There are many problems — from logistics to the shortage of qualified personnel — but the most difficult issue for me at today’s conference is the lack of strategic thinking on the part of the EU. This is not only about frozen assets of the aggressor or the transfer of missiles or aircraft to Ukraine. For the agricultural sector, it is primarily about quotas, tariffs, safeguard measures, stricter requirements and standards that the EU already expects Ukraine to meet, while at the same time failing to provide equal and predictable access to its market — not to mention direct per-hectare subsidies. This asymmetry creates significant pressure on Ukrainian exports and threatens Ukraine’s competitiveness.”
Following the discussion of regulatory barriers and the absence of a strategic approach from the EU, Kateryna Rybachenko also drew attention to a broader context — Ukraine’s role in shaping European security and resilience.
“For some reason, Europe does not always recognize the obvious: Ukraine is Europe’s strength. It is an army of drones, soldiers, and farmers. It is food security, logistical resilience, agricultural potential, and strategic autonomy. Without Ukraine, Europe becomes more vulnerable and less influential in global politics. This needs to be stated honestly — something UCAB does, in particular, through its Brussels office and active work in the public sphere, consistently conveying the position of Ukrainian producers at all levels.”
“The conference turned out to be very substantive, honest, and professional. I sincerely invite everyone to join the upcoming events,” added Kateryna Rybachenko, Vice President of UCAB.
