"We should not forget that countries such as Moldova, Tajikistan and others will increasingly form to us competition in the global fruit and vegetable markets. We must not miss the moment. Therefore, primary processing can create additional niches for domestic products.

The use of primary processing will increase the chances of success of Ukrainian producers of fruits and vegetables in foreign markets.

This was stated by Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine for European Integration Olga Trofimtseva during the thirteenth international conference "Fruits and Vegetables of Ukraine - 2016".

"We should not forget that countries such as Moldova, Tajikistan and others will increasingly form to us competition in the global fruit and vegetable markets. We must not miss the moment. Therefore, primary processing can create additional niches for domestic products. But for primary processing it is necessary for producers to be united or they should seek support from investors or donors, "- Olga Trofimtseva said.

Cooperation or cluster approach might be the way to resolve issues of forming consignments, equipment and processing facilities, covering costs related to certification and standardization.

According to Olga Trofimtseva, just in a fruit and vegetable business which is attractive for small and medium-sized producers, the co-operation has the greatest chances for a successful development.

"Today the Ukrainian market of vegetables, fruits and berries is enough difficult because of insufficient commerciality and through an extraordinary orientation on exports to Russia in the past, which led to critical consequences for the sector after the market close of that country. But it is nice to see that business is beginning to focus on other markets and think more about processing. We as a Ministry within its competence and capabilities have to support these processes and guide them"- the Deputy Minister said.

For information:

According to preliminary data it will be harvested from vegetables of "the Borsch set" in the current year: - cabbage - 1.77 million tons. In 2015, it was harvested - 1.7 million tons. Onion - 0,93 million tons. In 2015 - 0,96 million tons. Beet - 0.88 million tons. In 2015 - 0,83 million tons. Carrots - 0.91 million tons. In 2015 - 0.82 million tons. Garlic - 0,18 million tons. In 2015 - 0.176 million tons.