“The development of cooperation between Ukraine and the USA in the agricultural sector is important for the two countries. For 9 months of 2015, we have ascertained that we speak the same business language with the American partners and work based on the same principles. We have implemented the large-scale projects: the Ukrainian-American Grain Congress, and the Investment Forum. These and other events bring us closer to the sustainable business relations,” Oleksiy Pavlenko, the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, recited during the opening ceremony of the UKRAINE-U.S. Forum: ExportPromotion.

The event is aimed at the capacity building in food exports to the U.S. The agenda of the forum provides an overview of the prospects of effective system of state support creation and the stimulation of Ukrainian exports to the U.S. market, including the establishment of strong distribution centers of Ukrainian goods to attract the U.S. investment.

The Minister noted that the issue of access to the U.S. market was topical for all Ukrainian producers, thus in order to achieve the maximum result one should combine the efforts of business and of the Ministry. A distribution center may become the platform for successful positioning of Ukrainian producers. This facility is being created in the U.S. with the participation of Ukrainian and American investors. It would be a tool of communication with the American retail networks, and a platform for the presentation of the interests of Ukrainian producers. It will provide opportunities for effective solving of organizational issues and for coordination of trade policy.

“The most successful exporters to the U.S. are the manufacturers working in oil and fat, alcohol, and confectionery industries. We are aware that the USA is a country with a high-tech agricultural sector. But Ukrainian goods can be attractive, given the quality and purity of our organic production. For 8 months of 2015, Ukraine has significantly increased exports to the United States, including honey – two times ($15.3 million), sunflower oil – by 57% ($3.9 million), juice – 8 times ($1.9 million), alcohol – by 23% ($1.1 million), cheeses and yogurts – by 76% ($283 thousand).

The flash mob #FoodUA on the food issue, taking place in social networks, proves that Ukrainian products can be bought even in such large retail chains of the U.S. as Walmart. Therefore, the UKRAINE-U.S. Forum: ExportPromotion is a kind of a roadmap for Ukrainian exporters, which will help them to reach the large American market,” Minister Oleksiy Pavlenko stressed.