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Ukraine and Poland explore joint agricultural solutions at the Agro & Food Security Forum

20 December 20247 min reading

The Agro & Food Security Forum 2024 in Warsaw served as a pivotal gathering for key players in the agricultural and food sectors. With the backdrop of ongoing global challenges, the forum provided a platform for representatives from Poland, Ukraine, and beyond to discuss issues ranging from food security to agricultural innovation.

The event, which was held on December 2-3, 2024, gathered policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to share insights and explore potential collaborations. It marked an important moment for Poland and Ukraine to further strengthen their cooperation in agricultural trade, particularly in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine. The discussions at the forum focused on innovative solutions to support Ukraine's agricultural infrastructure, the future of grain exports, and how both countries can work together to secure global food supplies.

Czesław Siekierski
Minister of Agriculture of Poland

Czesław Siekierski, Minister of Agriculture of Poland, emphasized the importance of dialogue between the nations. “We are conducting intensive talks with the Ukrainian Ministry of Agriculture and involving representatives of industry organizations from both sides. Only through this inclusive approach can we develop mutually beneficial solutions,” he stated during the opening ceremony. Minister Siekierski also pointed out that the discussions extended to trade issues, particularly the future of trade regulations following the expiration of EU trade preferences for Ukraine on June 5, 2025. 

Vitalii Koval, Ukraine's Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, emphasized key areas for potential collaboration between Poland and Ukraine. He highlighted that there are significant opportunities in sectors such as processing and animal feed production, which could lead to substantial progress through joint efforts. "We must focus on what we can achieve together for international trade and food security," Koval stated. "These sectors offer great potential and could serve as a foundation for enhancing cooperation and improving the quality of our agricultural sectors."

Vitalii Koval, Ukraine's Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food

Minister Koval also extended an invitation to the Polish business community, encouraging closer collaboration with their Ukrainian counterparts. "Together, we can embark on joint projects and build strong business partnerships, which will enable us to export not only to Europe but to global markets," he said. "This is something we need, and it is something we deserve. By working together, we can create a better future on a global scale."


Trade relations between the two countries were a focal point of the discussions. Ukraine is one of Poland’s key trading partners in the agricultural sector, with Polish exports to Ukraine valued at $5.65 billion, and Ukrainian exports to Poland totaling $4 billion.

Jacek Piechota, President of the Polish-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce, commended the forum for fostering constructive dialogue. “We have succeeded in creating an environment in Warsaw where discussions focus on facts rather than emotions. We are presenting a clearer picture of the grain production landscape and how it can be improved. The fact that the Agriculture Ministers of both countries are meeting here today is a positive step,” he remarked.


The forum, traditionally held in Kyiv, has been relocated to Warsaw due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Antonina Sklyarenko, President of the Community of Pulse Producers and Customers of Ukraine, acknowledged this shift. “It is significant that we can meet here in Warsaw and establish a platform for substantive discussions. The move to Poland reflects the current challenges we face but also opens up new opportunities for cooperation,” Sklyarenko stated.

PULSES CONSUMPTION ON THE RISE

In his speech at the forum, Hüseyin Arslan, Chairman of AGT Foods Ingredients Group and former President of the Global Pulses Confederation, highlighted the importance of the United Nations' declaration of 2016 as the International Year of Pulses and the recognition of February 10 as World Pulses Day, which led to a significant increase in global awareness and consumption of pulses. He noted that thousands of articles and scientific studies have been published since these initiatives, compared to only a few prior to them. On the topic of potential markets for pulses, Arslan highlighted that traditional markets have shifted from a declining trend to an increasing consumption pattern since the establishment of World Pulses Day. Moreover, non-traditional markets such as Europe and North America, where pulses were not historically consumed, have shown notable growth in consumption. This rise is especially evident in the plant-based protein sector, though traditional methods of pulse consumption have also seen a resurgence.

INSIGHTS ON GLOBAL CORN AND WHEAT TRENDS

During the forum, Bogdan Kostetsky, Commercial Director of Barva Invest, delivered an insightful presentation on the shifting dynamics of global grain markets. Speaking on corn, Kostetsky explained that after significant growth in 2021, top exporters of corn have struggled to expand production, while importers like China have steadily increased their domestic production, reducing reliance on imports. He also highlighted Ukraine’s key role despite challenging conditions, stating that its early harvest met high Mediterranean demand, especially from Spain and Italy. However, he pointed out that reduced volumes and high export prices created an opening for U.S. corn to enter European markets, which has rarely occurred in the past. Kostetsky also addressed global trends, noting that Chinese demand for corn has been weaker than anticipated, which has created ripple effects among major exporters. He emphasized the importance of closely monitoring the USDA’s downward revisions in forecasts and China’s Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) allocations, as these remain critical for shaping the market outlook.


Turning to wheat, Kostetsky described a "silent crisis" in global production. He observed that population growth and weather-dependent yields are exerting mounting pressure on wheat production worldwide, citing Europe and Russia as examples where yields were particularly challenging in 2024. He further noted that Russia’s aggressive grain export policies initially stabilized global prices but warned that a steep reduction in export quotas for early 2025 could disrupt markets. According to Kostetsky, this policy shift is expected to result in a decline in Russian wheat exports from 47.6 million tons to 42 million tons, creating potential market volatility.


GLOBAL PULSES MARKET OUTLOOK

Gaurav Jain, from AgPulse Analytica, presented an outlook on the global pulses market, showcasing data that highlights a continuous rise in world production and consumption of pulses. Over the last two decades, global pulses production has surged to 106 million metric tons (MMT) from just 57 MMT, nearly doubling. Jain expressed optimism about the future, predicting growth in the pulses market that exceeds the forecasts made by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). He noted that per capita consumption of pulses peaked in 2017, driven largely by high imports from the Indian subcontinent, which at the time was importing dozens of vessels of pulses. However, the same consumption levels have yet to be matched in 2024. According to Jain, farmers are well-positioned to accommodate a 10-15% larger crop, and this growth is expected to materialize soon.