EU farmers warn of competition risks from Ukraine integration

European agricultural producers are raising concerns regarding the economic impact of Ukraine's potential integration into the European Union. Reports from the Copa-Cogeca grain working group and the French maize producers' association (AGPM) highlight significant competitive imbalances.

In the corn sector, production costs in Ukraine are estimated to be half of those in the EU. Furthermore, there are major discrepancies in regulatory standards; for instance, 47% of active substances used in Ukrainian corn production are not permitted in the EU, and 62% are not permitted in France. Projections suggest that by 2030, Ukrainian corn production could reach 39 million tons, potentially threatening markets for millions of tons of French corn used in the starch and poultry industries.

In the dairy sector, industry leaders, including the President of the Union of Polish Dairy Processors (ZPPM), are advocating for a gradual integration process. They emphasize that accession should be based on shared standards and equal competitive rules to prevent market disruptions. Additionally, there are calls for harmonized methodologies regarding carbon footprint reporting to reduce administrative burdens on producers.