ASF hinders exports of Ukraine pork to the EU
"Three cases of ASF on pig farms have put a stain on Ukraine’s reputation. While we have such problems, we can forget about establishing export supplies to the EU," he said.
However, he added that a few Ukrainian pig farms will be inspected by EU experts soon.
Industry observers believe Ukrainian pork has good prospects in EU markets, due to its competitive price.
According to Ukraine’s deputy minister of agrarian policy and food Andriy Dykun, Ukraine is ready to start pig product exports to the EU. The ministry said that pork and confectionery were the Ukrainian goods that showed the best promise for sale in Europe.
"We have already started poultry product exports to the EU, and I think we can also export pork and confectionery products in the near future," said Dykun. Ukrainian experts predict the country could dramatically boost its pork exports to the EU market, with annual volumes potentially reaching 10,000–20,000 tonnes (t).
By comparison, in 2013 Ukraine exported only 4,600t to the EU with a total value of US$20.9 million, according to official statistics. About 94% of all exports were destined for Russia. In 2012 Ukraine exported 20,200t of pork, also mostly to Russia.
"After Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization in 2013, the process of supplying pork to this market was simplified, as quotas were abolished. Yet, along with the growth of pork supply, the market experienced a fall in imports. So for many Ukrainian companies it became unprofitable to continue pork exports to Russia," explained Arthur Loza, head of Ukraine’s Association of Pig Producers.
However, in 2014, following the ban on pork imports from the EU, prices in the Russian domestic market rose again and are now higher than in Europe. But many Ukrainian producers say they will no longer bet on the Russian market, claiming that it is "unreliable". According to Bashinsky, if the fight against ASF in the country is successful, four or five Ukraine producers could gain permission as early as next year to export pork to the EU, which would allow the country to restore the overall volume of export supplies.
"When we remove the quarantine restrictions, send the relevant report to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and go through the procedures to verify our data, we will be able to apply to the European Commission with a request to put us on a list of countries that are allowed to export pork to the EU. After that, it will be selected businesses that meet EU requirements. From this list, four or five enterprises will be selected to be inspected by foreign experts," added Bashinsky.
