Results of 2023 in the organic sector

We send our warmest greetings for Christmas and New Year from the teams of the Swiss-Ukrainian Programs “Higher Value Added Trade from the Organic and Dairy Sector in Ukraine” (QFTP) and “Organic Trade 4 Development in Eastern Europe” (OT4D)!

Despite being in the second year of the full-scale war, Ukraine’s organic sector remains strong and resilient. It continues to operate and actively seeks new opportunities for rebuilding, creating added value, and finding new export markets. Thanks to the dedication and partnership of Ukrainian organic market players, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, the State Institution “Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office” and the international projects, numerous interesting events took place and important results were achieved during the year.

The QFTP’s second three-year phase began in July 2023. QFTP’s priority remains promoting sustainable trade, strengthening competitiveness and developing the capacity of public authorities, service providers and other stakeholders in the Ukrainian organic sector.

To summarise this year’s results, we encourage you to read the ratings of Ukrainian organic brands in 2023. The ratings were conducted for the third time by BrandStory media platform in cooperation with the Organic Standard certification body:

Let’s take a look back at significant events in organic sector of Ukraine which took place in 2023.

In 2023, Ukraine fully implemented its organic legislation and launched two state registers in the field of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products. You can find the State Registers (in Ukrainian) on the website of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine on the “Organic Production” page, which is accessible in both Ukrainian and English. Review the List of Foreign Certification Bodies (in Ukrainian) maintained by the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection.

Organic Standard became the first certification body accredited by the National Accreditation Agency of Ukraine (NAAU) on 25 May. This accreditation was granted in accordance with the Ukrainian legislation on organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products. The accreditation certificate and entry into the State register of certification bodies in the field of organic production and circulation of organic products (in Ukrainian) serve as evidence of this achievement.

The State register of operators producing organic products under legal requirements in the field of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products (in Ukrainian) was launched on 17 August 2023. As of mid-December, the Register includes 113 operators. Organic products from Ukrainian producers labelled with the state logo for organic products are already available on the shelves of supermarkets and speciality stores.

In order to know how to properly label and use the state logo for organic products, Guidelines for the use of the state logo were developed, and a training session was held for operators, NGOs and service providers of the organic sector of Ukraine. To learn more about labelling of organic products and to download the state logo for organic products visit the website of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine.

To comply with the Law of Ukraine “On Basic Principles and Requirements for Organic Production, Circulation and Labelling of Organic Products”, Switzerland provided support for organisation of professional trainings and other activities to improve the skills of inspectors of organic production and circulation of organic products of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, at the request of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine. As part of such trainings, there were experience exchange with the relevant Polish agencies during two training sessions on “State Supervision in the Organic Sector: Experience of Poland”.

The Ministerial Organic Working Group, consisting of representatives from state authorities, organic sector players and representatives of international technical assistance projects QFTP, OT4D, COA, IPRSA, continues to work on improving of the organic legislation of Ukraine. The draft law 10314 of 05.12.2023 (in Ukrainian) is expected to be adopted soon, which will introduce certain amendments to the Ukrainian organic legislation.

Despite the war, Ukrainian farmers are still finding ways to grow, process, and sell organic products. Thus, 24 organic market operators received support under the 3rd stage of the grant program “Support of Organic Sector in Ukraine”, initiated by the Organic Initiative public association for the total amount of CHF 90,000.

22 successful cases demonstrate how financial grant support can contribute to positive changes in companies if a strategic approach to business development is taken.

Traditionally, the Organic Map of Ukraine was updated in accordance with the operational monitoring data collected by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine from foreign certification bodies that certified organic production and circulation of organic products in Ukraine. By the end of 2022, there were 462 organic operators in Ukraine, including 380 agricultural producers; the total area of organic agricultural land (organic and in-conversion) was 263,619 hectares (including 246,126 hectares of organic land).

The Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office is actively promoting the export of organic products in times of war, developing the potential of Ukrainian organic exporters, and forming a positive image of Ukraine as a reliable supplier of organic products abroad. Together with its partners, the Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office organised the 10^th National Pavilion of Ukraine at BIOFACH 2023 in Nuremberg, Germany which took place from 14 to 17 February. Ukraine had an impressive National Pavilion this year, covering 188 m² (stands 4A-511 and 4A-405), where 23 participating companies were able to develop partnerships. The next National Pavilion of Ukraine will be presented at BIOFACH on 13-16 February 2024 in Nuremberg.

The Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office with the support of its partners organised for the first time the National Pavilion of Ukraine at the international fair ANUGA 2023 in Cologne, Germany, from 07 to 11 October. Within the framework of the fair some Ukrainian organic brands additionally participated in a special exhibition area called the ANUGA Organic Supermarket, where they presented 30 products with higher added value.

Ukrainian companies presented their organic products within the second National Stand of Ukraine at the largest exhibition of organic products in the Middle East, Middle East Organic & Natural Products Expo (Dubai, UAE), organised by the Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office with the support of its partners, from 12 to 14 December.

Ukraine has traditionally joined the International Day of Action #IGrowYourFood. The campaign, launched in 2019 by IFOAM — Organics International, aims to draw attention to organic producers around the world and give them the opportunity to tell their stories. This year, under the coordination of the Organic Initiative and with the support of Switzerland, Ukrainian organic producers shared their stories with different continents during the #IGrowYourFood day of action.

The Organic Day in Ukraine conference took place on 25 September. This event signifies Ukraine’s commitment to its European integration path, promoting the implementation of the European Green Deal and raising awareness of organic products. During the conference, the first operators certified in accordance with Ukrainian organic legislation were honoured. The event, organised by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine and the Organic Initiative, attracted over 200 participants from Ukraine and abroad to hear the latest news from the sector and discuss prospects for further development.

Throughout September, the Organic Initiative and its partners disseminated information about organic production, helping to raise consumers’ awareness of the benefits of organic products. The Organic September festival was held in Kyiv on 23 and 24 September, where visitors met organic producers and tasted their products.

Ukraine remains one of the top 5 suppliers of organic products to the European Union. In 2022, Ukraine ranked 3^rd overall and 1^st among non-tropical countries in terms of imports of organic products to the EU, according to the latest European Commission report for 2022 on imports of organic agri-food products to the EU.

This year, a range of information materials on organic have been developed and distributed, including:

Infographic based on the results of the Organic Market Study of Ukraine 2022, domestic market:
Infographic based on the results of the Organic Market Study in Ukraine 2022, exports:
The study “European Organic Market” was prepared (in Ukrainian)
Translated into Ukrainian:
Volume organic products sold, 2022 (by groups)

The above-mentioned events were organised, and materials were developed and distributed by the Ukrainian organic sector players, representatives of state authorities with the support of Switzerland within the framework of the Swiss-Ukrainian Programs “Higher Value Added Trade from the Organic and Dairy Sector in Ukraine” (QFTP) and “Organic Trade 4 Development in Eastern Europe” (OT4D).

The list of activities and materials of the Ukrainian organic sector is not exhaustive.

We wish you good health, peace and security in 2024. May you experience organically positive emotions from your work, spend quality time with your family and friends, pursue hobbies, and enjoy life in general.

The New Year is a time for hope for the best and victory, and we wish them to come true.

More information is available on the OrganicInfo.ua website.

Sincerest regards and best wishes,

Teams of the Swiss-Ukrainian Programs
“Higher Value Added Trade from the Organic and Dairy Sector in Ukraine” (QFTP) and “Organic Trade 4 Development in Eastern Europe” (OT4D).

Results of 2023 in the organic sector

Let’s take a look back at significant events in organic sector of Ukraine which took place in 2023.

This year, a range of information materials on organic have been developed and distributed, including:

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