Organic agriculture in Ukraine

Abstract

The organic sector is growing steadily throughout the world. At the same time, in Ukraine this growth is constrained by improper legislative environment, lack of state financial support, low domestic effective demand and inadequate development of the relevant infrastructure. Ukrainian organic sector has inviting development prospects. First of all, this applies to crop production: sunflower seeds, soybeans and cereals, high protein crops, processed fruits and berries, walnuts, medicinal herbs, aromatic plants, and honey. Comparative evaluation of the Ukrainian and European regulatory and legal frameworks in the regulation of organic sector allows to conclude on a general convergence of the above documents. The most problematic issue remains the state support for the development of organic production. In this context, the primary task consists in practical implementation of the still only declared strategy of the priority development of organic production in Ukraine. For this purpose it is necessary: to form an appropriate regulatory and legal framework and effective certification system; to provide financial support of agro-producers during the conversion period; to stimulate relevant scientific and research developments and provide informational, advisory and educational services to the operators in organic sector, together with supporting the cooperative movement there; to develop the infrastructure of the organic market; and to organize collection and processing of the on organic operators in the context of the EU indicators.