The Ukrainian government and experts are considering three potential scenarios for the continuation of trade policy following the expiration of autonomous trade measures (ATM) on June 5 regarding the import of Ukrainian agricultural products into the European Union, reported Alexander Haydu, the chairman of the parliamentary committee on agrarian and land policy.
"The first scenario is the extension of ATMs for Ukrainian agricultural products. This is the most appealing option because it allows us to plan our export potential and understand how much (produce - IF-U) we can still export to the EU. The second option is to maintain (supply volumes - IF-U) at the level of 2021. For Ukrainian producers, this would mean losses of nearly $3-3.5 billion," he stated at the "Agricultural Sector 2025: Challenges and Opportunities in New Realities" conference organized by the We Build Ukraine analytical center in Kyiv on Thursday.
Haydu identifies the most likely scenario as a new path - a combined compromise that extends the ATM for the period until all trade measures under the association agreement with the EU are agreed upon.
"In fact, this is what we are counting on," the parliamentarian emphasized.
As the MP noted, during negotiations in Brussels, European Commissioner for Agriculture Christoph Hansen informed the Ukrainian side that the European Commission is ready to explore new avenues of cooperation with Ukraine and discuss the principles of importing Ukrainian sensitive agricultural products into the European Union.
"He reiterated several times and stressed that they do not want to continue the ATM after June 5, 2025. In response to counterarguments that we have no time left, there is turbulence in European parliaments, re-elections, and that currently, no one is critically addressing this issue, he confidently stated that no, by that time we will be able to sort everything out. After presenting all arguments by the Ukrainian side, the commissioner seemed to agree that if we do not manage to meet the deadline, we will still consider extending the ATM until all issues related to agricultural trade are resolved," said the head of the parliamentary agrarian committee, adding that this position from the EC is positive for the Ukrainian side.