The share of agricultural production in the structure of the country's GDP is currently about 18%, and may reach 25% under condition the state support for agricultural production will be prolonged. This was stated by Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman during his trip to farms in Kyiv region.

He told that he had acquainted with the company's management during the recent AGRO-2018 exhibition, and has now got familiarized with production facilities.

"Agrarian sector plays a significant and pivotal role", stressed Volodymyr Groysman. "I am keen on increasing the number of such enterprises aimed to process raw materials, to create jobs in rural areas. It's all a guarantee of our success. Today, farming creates 18% of GDP. And we can improve performance up to 25% - and this is an attainable goal. Together with the opportunities for decentralization, this provides greater synergy."

The PM assured the Government will prolong the program of support for agricultural producers. "And the situation in rural areas will be improved year by year", the Head of Government added.

Background

Today, the country's agro-industrial complex is about 3 million people employed in agriculture, forestry and fisheries, 18.4% of gross value added, of which 4.7% is the food and processing industry. For 6 months of the year, the growth of agricultural products was 11.4%, and the average monthly wage in agriculture in January-May 2018 was UAH 6.524, that exceeds 24.5% the analogous indicator of 2017.

Ukraine exports agro-products to 164 countries. And it ranks 1st in the export of sunflower oil; 3rd – in rape; 4th - barley and corn; 5th - honey and walnuts without shell; 6th - wheat; 7 - soybean and chicken meat. 289 Ukrainian enterprises have the right to export to the EU markets.