Ukraine agri has potential despite conflict

The protests that started in Kiev last November, which led to former president Viktor Yanukovych fleeing into exile, were a direct consequence of a Ukrainian populous weary of corruption and cronyism.

The signing of an Association Agreement with the EU in June signals renewed Ukrainian intent to adopt European standards and rule of law. The EU has declared an €11bn aid package for Ukraine. Irish companies should look at the strategic importance of these developments, especially within the food and agriculture sector.

Amidst the on-going turmoil in Ukraine, the potential of the Ukrainian economy and her people is sometimes overlooked. With a population of 46m, Ukraine covers an area larger than France. Ukraine has 32m hectares of arable land, which is equivalent to a third of the EU’s total arable acreage. The country is placed in the top 10 globally for third-level education attainment, ranks fourth for the number of certified IT professionals, and fifth for steel exports. Four out of five Ukrainian school children are taught English as a second language.