CHALLENGES AND ISSUES IN PREFERENTIAL TRADE OF SELECT AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS BETWEEN UKRAINE AND THE EU

The article looks into the challenges related to preferential trade in agricultural products between Ukraine and the EU. It analyses the impact of autonomous trade preferences granted by the European Union to Ukraine in 2022 on the export of key Ukrainian products, such as poultry meat, eggs, honey, sugar, groats, oats, and maize. The study evaluates the consequences of restrictions imposed by the EU on Ukrainian agricultural products access to the European market in June 2024. The article highlights the ability of Ukrainian producers to geographically diversify exports and increase agricultural product supplies to third countries despite tightening restrictions on EU market access. For example, poultry meat exports to the EU decreased due to new restrictions, but producers maintained overall export volumes by redirecting shipments to other regions. Similarly, exports of sugar, oats, groats, and other products faced limitations, but producers adapted by expanding their presence in alternative markets. The article identifies challenges for further development of agricultural trade between Ukraine and the EU: as of the end of March 2025, the provisions that will determine the access of the analysed goods to the EU market after the current EU autonomous trade preferences regime expires in June of this year are still unknown. This creates uncertainty about future terms of trade and the prospects for maintaining and increasing the achieved volumes of Ukrainian agricultural exports to the EU. The article emphasises the need for continued dialogue on liberalising bilateral trade, and underscores the importance of avoiding new exceptions to the autonomous preferential trade regime established by the EU in 2022. Overall, the article provides a comprehensive analysis of EU’s preferential trade impact on Ukraine’s agricultural exports and offers insights into the strategies adopted by Ukrainian producers to navigate the challenges posed by EU restrictions on sensitive goods. It underscores the importance of cooperation and dialogue in fostering sustainable and equitable trade relations between Ukraine and the EU.