Ukraine and Lithuania strengthen cooperation on exports, grain storage and efforts to combat the illicit trade in stolen agricultural products

Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Taras Vysotskyi held an online meeting with Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania Kęstutis Mažeika.

The parties discussed Ukrainian agricultural exports, the development of alternative logistics routes, temporary grain storage and stronger checks on the origin of grain transported from russia.

Taras Vysotskyi briefed his Lithuanian counterpart on the impact of the effective suspension of agricultural exports through the ports of Greater Odesa following russian attacks on civilian shipping.

According to the Minister, Ukraine was able to export only around a third of its potential volume of agricultural products in August. Alternative routes by rail and via the Danube and the EU Solidarity Lanes are helping to maintain exports to some extent, but they lack the capacity to replace maritime transport fully.

“If the situation with maritime exports does not change, more than 30 million tonnes of Ukrainian agricultural products could remain unexported over the course of a year, with financial losses exceeding USD 10 billion. This directly affects agricultural producers’ income and their ability to continue the production cycle. It is therefore important for us to expand alternative logistics, provide sufficient crop-storage capacity and support farm liquidity at the same time,” Taras Vysotskyi said.

Particular attention was given to combating the illegal export of grain grown in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. According to Ukrainian estimates, this year’s grain harvest in those territories could reach around 9.5–10 million tonnes.

Taras Vysotskyi stressed the importance of continuing to verify the origin of grain that may be transported from russia through Baltic ports. Ukraine is also interested in seeing Lithuania’s approach to these checks adopted by the other Baltic states.

Kęstutis Mažeika emphasised that Lithuania was closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine’s agricultural sector and was ready to continue its cooperation.

The parties also discussed Ukraine’s request for assistance with temporary grain storage. The Lithuanian side said it was considering possible forms of support and exploring practical solutions that could be implemented quickly.

Ukraine’s European integration and further coordination among EU agriculture ministers were also discussed. Lithuania proposed holding a bilateral meeting during the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council, AGRIFISH, in Brussels and discussing the relevant issues with agriculture ministers from the other Baltic states.

Lithuania also announced its intention to invite Ukraine and Moldova to an informal meeting of agriculture ministers during its forthcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU.

The parties agreed to continue coordinating efforts to develop alternative logistics, support Ukrainian agricultural producers, provide temporary crop storage and prevent the illicit trade in grain from Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories.