Ukraine and Saudi Arabia are determined to enhance cooperation in the agricultural sector. In particular, a joint forum will be held in May with the participation of business representatives from both countries. The event will help develop bilateral contacts, attract investment to Ukraine and revive trade relations. This was agreed upon during the meeting by Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, Vitalii Koval, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, and Abdulrahman AlFadley, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture of Saudi Arabia.

The meeting participants focused on investment opportunities in the Ukrainian agricultural sector and the prospects for its development. In particular, the development of agro-processing. As Yuliia Svyrydenko emphasised, despite the challenges of the war, this industry was recovering and developing.

"In 2024, exports of agricultural products reached USD 24.7 billion. This is 59% of last year's total exports. Ukraine remains a global agricultural power, cultivating 24.5 million hectares of land. This includes 20.1 million hectares of grains and oilseeds. Today, our goal is to go beyond exporting raw materials and increase production of value-added goods. Therefore, investments in the agricultural sector of Ukraine are good opportunities for forward-thinking companies,” said Yuliia Svyrydenko.

Examples of good investments include SALIC and Continental Farmers Group.

"Successful projects from Saudi Arabian companies in the agricultural sector are working. For example, Continental Farmers Group cultivates 200,000 hectares in western Ukraine and paid UAH 1.6 billion in taxes to budgets of various levels in 2024. Moreover, the company plans to expand its presence in Ukraine. I called on the company to move into the processing industry more actively in order to create and supply high value-added products to global markets," said Vitalii Koval, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food.

The parties also addressed other steps that will strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries and help businesses establish direct contacts. In particular, the participants agreed on the need to resume the active work of the Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Saudi Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation.