EU opens market to Ukrainian beet, sunflower, swede rape, soybean seeds

“The Council adopted a decision granting equivalence with EU requirements to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova concerning field inspections and seed production standards,” according to the press release.

“In particular, the decision grants equivalence for seed of beet, sunflower, swede rape and soya bean produced and certified in Ukraine and for seed of fodder plants produced in the Republic of Moldova and officially certified by its authorities, as well as to the relevant field inspections that are carried out.”

The equivalence confirms that the national procedures of the two countries offer the same guarantees regarding seed characteristics and rules for seed examination, identification and control as those applied to seeds collected in the EU, the report says.

According to the decision, seeds of these species produced in Ukraine and Moldova will be able to enter the EU market.

"This means that EU-based companies will be able to diversify their seed production areas," the message says. "The new rules will also contribute to maintaining the continuous supply of high-quality seed in the EU."

The decision will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the EU's Official Journal.

In 2024, compared to 2023, Ukraine increased exports of organic products to the European Union by 17.4% to 203,900 tons. Last year, Ukraine entered the top 3 suppliers of organic products to the EU.

Ukraine and the European Commission have agreed to work out a decision on further exports of Ukrainian agricultural products to the European market in June-July 2025.

On June 6, the EU reverted to pre-war rules in trade with Ukraine. The temporary easing of conditions introduced in 2022 is no longer in effect.