From now the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine jointly with the local organic stakeholders will develop and strengthen the Ukrainian organic market with own (and involved) resources and ideas. As one of the last activities within the project, the first official promo-video about Ukrainian organic sector "Organic in Ukraine" ( #OrganicinUkraine) has been elaborated upon the request of the Ukrainian organic businesses and the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine.

Olga Trofimtseva, Deputy Minister for European Integration of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine emphasized, “Just 10 years ago the first local organic products appeared at the shelves of Ukrainian shops. Today the organic domestic market grows fast and product assortment become wider. In 2017, Ukraine exported its organic products to more than 40 countries.” According to the information collected from certification bodies and provided by the Reform Support Team at the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, in December 2017, the total area of organic agricultural land and parcels in conversion (according to organic EU Regulation) aggregates up to 289 000 ha. The total number of operators amounts to 504 (including 304 agricultural producers) and the total volume of export reaches 260 thousand tons. Ukrainian organic products are exported to Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, the UK, Canada, USA, Australia and some Asian countries. 

Viktor Shutkevych, Assistant Director at the Swiss Cooperation Office in Ukraine, said, “We summarized a decade of Swiss support for organic market development in Ukraine. The results achieved on both domestic and export markets, as well as transparent and professional system of organic certification established in Ukraine with Swiss support open for Ukraine more opportunities for growth of the organic sector. Consumer awareness on advantages of organic products increases. We supported this video “Organic in Ukraine” because it is very important for Ukraine.” 

The popular Ukrainian singer Jamala (Eurovision winner 2016), who kindly provided her song “I believe in U” for this video, underlined “It’s a big pleasure and honor to take part in this video as I am a big supporter of the organic farming movement. Even more, I am excited that it will have a positive impact on Ukraine’s future generations as well as attracting international partners to help Ukraine grow to the next level!.”  

Over a period of two weeks, Switzerland deploys a total of 130 trucks with medical supplies and chemicals for drinking water treatment to beneficiary institutions in eastern Ukraine. Through the supply of chemicals such as aluminium sulphate and chlorine, the Ukrainian water utility Voda Donbasu can provide for another year sufficient quantities of drinking water to up to 4 million people in the whole region of Donetsk. Furthermore, thanks to the provision of vital medical devices, spare parts and consumables to 9 hospitals in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the conflict-affected population on both sides of the contact line will have improved access to basic medical care and live-saving treatment.

The Swiss transport was organized and is accompanied by an expert team of Swiss Humanitarian Aid, supported by the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine. The delivery of humanitarian goods is conducted with the active support of the Ukrainian government and interlocutors in the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. Precious logistical assistance for the preparation of the transport was provided by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Switzerland stresses the importance of granting humanitarian organizations access to the conflict-affected population, in accordance with international humanitarian law. Access to basic services has to be ensured for all citizens, and freedom of movement for civilians within the conflict zone must be guaranteed. Switzerland calls on all sides to respect and protect critical civilian infrastructures.

Between April 2015 and October 2018, Switzerland had already sent nine humanitarian transports with 9’500 tonnes of emergency supplies to the conflict region.

Further information:

Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine                                 

vul. Kozyatynska 12, P.O. Box 114, UA-01015 Kyiv          

E-Mail: kyiv@eda.admin.ch                                 

Web: https://www.eda.admin.ch/ukraine

Contact: Ms. Ludmyla Nestrylay, Communications Officer, ludmyla.nestrylay@eda.admin.ch; +380 44 281 61 28