“Ukraine seeks to develop and deepen cooperation with the State of Israel. Today, I dare say without a shadow of doubt – for the last year we have made a significant breakthrough in bilateral relations in several areas”,  Oleksii Pavlenko, the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, emphasized.

In particular, the Minister noted the progress in trade cooperation between the two countries: in 2015, the trade turnover in agricultural products amounted to $403.7 million, which is 7 million more than for the same period of 2014. The main part of the turnover is export. For instance, in 2015, Ukraine exported agricultural products to Israel for the total of $395 million, which is 4.8% more compared to the same period of 2014.

“We exported a wide range of agricultural products to the Israeli market, however, the biggest share of export, traditionally, is grains ($263 million), residues and wastes of the food industry ($58.7 million) and oilseeds ($41 million)”, the Minister reported.

At the same time, the imports of Israeli products to Ukraine for the same period amounted to $8 million. The main import items from Israel were fruits, nuts and zest ($2.5 million), vegetables, plants and root vegetables ($1.5 million) and juices ($1 million).

“At the same time, we observe changes not only in the strengthening of trade cooperation. We made a big step in the field of scientific research and educational cooperation. In particular, we have already successfully used the Israeli innovative technologies in harvesting and fighting the insects. The innovations include – the sorting of vegetables with the help of photographic equipment and computers. In the future, we expect to use the Israeli experience in the application of droplet irrigation. So, during my visits to Israel, including the most recent one in March, I had an opportunity to discuss the experience of the Israeli colleagues in the field of irrigation and water resources management,” Oleksii Pavlenko noted.

The Minister additionally informed that in recent years the Ukrainian experts regularly take part in different research programs organized by the Israeli side.

“I want to mention specifically the cooperation with the Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation MASHAV. The Center actively cooperates with Ukrainian organizations, experts, and researchers in the field of agriculture, conducts consultations and training courses for the agrarian community of Ukraine”, the Minister added.