The interests of Hungarian farmers come first in relation to Ukrainian agricultural products

By: STA Date: 2024. 10. 10. 10:00

The primary task of the Hungarian agricultural administration is to protect the interests of Hungarian farmers against Ukrainian agricultural products, which is why we will continue to maintain the import ban – stated István Nagy, head of the ministry, who received Vitaly Koval, Ukraine’s Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Affairs, in his office on Thursday.

(Photo: AM/István Fekete)

At the meeting, István Nagy spoke about the fact that our country is constantly investigating commercial initiatives aimed at helping Ukraine, but these cannot be at the expense of Hungarian farmers. It is necessary to find a solution that, in the long run, will settle the export possibilities of Ukrainian agricultural products in a satisfactory way for both parties. Our country considers it favorable that Ukraine’s Black Sea transport routes have been restored, so that more than 80 percent of grain exports are once again delivered by water to the former main destination countries. Maintaining global food security is our important task, but this cannot be at the expense of the competitiveness of Hungarian farmers and domestic trade, he added. The head of the ministry explained that Hungary maintains the ban on the import of Ukrainian agricultural products, but we continue to allow transit, which we also strictly control. The Hungarian government is committed to renewing the domestic agriculture and food industry, this process is strengthened by the ongoing developments and the historical resources available for them.

The minister also drew attention to the fact that the autonomous trade liberalization measure (ATM) introduced by Brussels expires on June 5, 2025, so until then the European Union, Ukraine, Hungary and the other bordering member states will have a long-term and reassuring must find a solution to the challenges caused by Ukrainian agricultural products. In the framework of the meeting, István Nagy invited Vitalij Koval to the November meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council.