"Our team understands that Ukrainian small and medium producer has many problems when accesses to foreign markets, especially such highly competitive as the EU itself.

One of the main challenges for our team is to facilitate the access of Ukrainian small and medium producers into foreign markets, including the EU.

This was said by the Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine on European Integration Ms. Olga Trofimtseva during the Ukrainian Conference for Importers and Exporters of Food and Agricultural products «UCEIFA 2016».

"Our team understands that Ukrainian small and medium producer has many problems when accesses to foreign markets, especially such highly competitive as the EU itself.

For example, exporters have a lack of knowledge about the regulation in foreign markets, the specific requirements for importers. Also logistical issues, labeling, financing, search for business partners and a lack of information about ways to export. Players of big business have better possibilities for independent exploration of the global market. Small and medium farmer or processor needs help in this direction. We are trying to help, because the increase in exports of value added products in the total volume of trade is in line with our strategic direction of work", - Ms. Olga Trofimtseva said.

According to Deputy Minister, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine will assist by all possible tools - from informational support up to assist in attracting foreign investment. "But often it requires an initiative from business itself. We go toward business needs if the business proactively formulate its position", - said the Deputy Minister. Among the options of particular joint activities she called trade missions or B2B activities.

"The main task of the Ministry in cooperation with other government bodies is to provide for exporters or importers favorable conditions by reducing trade barriers or expanding trade opportunities through the creation of new regional free trade areas" - said Deputy Minister and added that it is expected from business to have more active position on exploring new markets and a more responsible attitude to the quality of its products and strong business reputation.

For information: According to the results of 2015 the top 5 of export goods of food industry: Vegetable oils (49.7%), Residues and waste from the food industries (15%), Confectionery products (5.9%), milk and dairy products (5.8% ), meat (5.7%).