Food security is among the top priorities for both Ukraine and many international organisations that help countries improve their food systems and develop their own agricultural industries. For Ukraine, the restoration of agriculture and the development of the processing industry is also a key issue. The Government has provided Ukrainian entrepreneurs with access to finance, in particular through grant programmes, to restore or develop their businesses or start up new ones, including in the processing industry.

This was stated by Taras Kachka, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine - Trade Representative of Ukraine, during a meeting with representatives of the diplomatic corps on the implementation of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Peace Formula in terms of food security. The event was attended by Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andrii Yermak, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna, representatives of the Government and the diplomatic corps.

The event took place at the Chanta Mount bakery, which was damaged by shelling by Russian forces in March 2022. To restore its facilities, the company's management applied for participation in the government's programme of non-refundable grants for processing enterprises from the Ministry of Economy. The company received the maximum grant amount of UAH 8 million, which was spent on the purchase of freezing and refrigeration equipment.

"Ukraine appreciates all the support it has received from partner countries and international organisations to restore agricultural capacities, liberalise trade and organise logistics, as agricultural exports are the main source of revenue for the Ukrainian budget. The cancellation of tariffs by the European Union helped us ensure uninterrupted transportation of agricultural products, which is a cornerstone of food security. Thus, in 2022, the European Union accounted for 59.3% of Ukraine's exports, the Middle East - 16.6%, Asia and China - 9.9%, and Africa - 7%," said Taras Kachka.

The Deputy Minister added that Ukraine went through the 2022/2023 marketing year fully amid the war and the grain blockade in the Black Sea, exporting 67.85 million tonnes of grain and vegetable oil. Taras Kachka emphasised that Russia's blockade of Ukrainian ports and trade violates all norms of international humanitarian law, as it prevents people from accessing food and provokes hunger. Ukrainian agricultural products feed more than 400 million people around the world. In the context of a full-scale war, Ukraine has done everything in its power to continue supplying agricultural products to the global market. In 2022, we exported $23.4 billion worth of agricultural products, compared to $27.7 billion in 2021.

In the context of food security, Taras Kachka noted that Ukraine has set itself the following goals: unimpeded navigation, predictable trade, long-term food supply and agrihubs, and coordination of humanitarian aid. Ukraine wants to invest in the development of these systems to fight hunger, which is also a component of the President's Peace Formula.