Ukraine could strengthen the EU's food security after joining the Union

Ukraine’s accession to the European Union could enhance the bloc’s food self-sufficiency and strengthen its position on the world stage. At the same time, the integration of Ukraine’s agricultural sector will require the harmonization of production standards and a lengthy transition period.

When asked whether Ukraine’s membership would help ensure the European Union’s agricultural sovereignty, Hansen said: “Yes, and not only from the perspective of self-sufficiency. We also have a responsibility toward regions of the world that do not produce enough food. From a geopolitical perspective, it would be beneficial for us to have Ukraine’s production capacity as part of the EU.”

At the same time, he said, the scale of Ukrainian production raises concerns among a significant portion of European farmers.

“Ukraine is intimidating because it’s a real production powerhouse,” the European Commissioner explained.

He also emphasized the importance of bringing Ukrainian production into compliance with EU standards.

“This alignment will be crucial, and it won’t be easy for the Ukrainian side. If Ukraine fails to bring its production into line with our standards by 2028, we will have the right to review these quotas,” Hansen warned.

He also noted that the European Commission’s document, presented the day before, regarding the EU’s preparations for enlargement allows for transitional mechanisms, particularly for agriculture.

“In the case of Ukraine, fairly lengthy transition periods could be put up for discussion. It is important not to jeopardize our model. However, we should not create obstacles from the very beginning—we need to seek solutions,” the official emphasized.

At the same time, Hansen called for identifying sectors where Ukrainian and European producers can complement each other, specifically mentioning protein crops from third countries that the EU currently imports: “Why not encourage Ukraine to grow more soybeans instead of importing them from the United States or Brazil? It’s closer, it’s Europe, and it could be a solution for both sides.”

European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christoph Hansen made this statement in an interview with BFMTV.

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