On 11 April 2025, the second roundtable discussion between the Dutch Agricultural and Horticultural Organisation (LTO) and the All-Ukrainian Agrarian Forum was held in Lviv. The event was supported by the agriculture ministries of both countries and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ukraine. The Ukrainian agribusiness was represented by representatives of the following specialised agrarian associations: All-Ukrainian Agrarian Forum, Agrarian Union of Ukraine, All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council, Ukrainian Agribusiness Club, Association of Milk Producers, and Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders.
After the official opening of the roundtable and welcoming remarks by Ambassador of the Netherlands to Ukraine Alle Dorhout and representatives of the relevant ministries of the Netherlands and Ukraine, the parties focused on discussing the future integration of Ukrainian agriculture into the EU internal market. Representatives of agrarian associations from both countries shared their vision of the expected unification of the Ukrainian agricultural market with the European single market, discussed the progress of implementation of European legislation in terms of food quality and safety, animal welfare, as well as possible barriers, concerns and opportunities. Particular attention was paid to the potential contribution of Ukrainian agriculture to strengthening the EU's strategic autonomy in key agricultural products. Thus, the parties agreed that Ukraine's moderate and systematic integration will ensure compliance with the priorities of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) without losing efficiency and effectiveness for other member states. Representatives of the Dutch and Ukrainian agribusinesses noted that deepening cooperation would have a synergistic effect, strengthening the competitiveness of operators in both countries, and would have a positive long-term effect on EU food security. Maintaining open and managed trade is crucial for Ukraine's economic resilience in the face of Russian aggression, and the relevant authorities plan to continue their dialogue on the parameters of trade in sensitive goods.
The bilateral dialogue between Ukrainian and Dutch agribusinesses continued with a meeting with Barkom LLC (TM ‘Rodynna kovbaska’), a member of the Ukrainian Pig Producers Association. The company's HR director, Liudmyla Martyniuk, spoke about the company's history, mission and values, as well as its key areas of work. Silvan Lonshan, Head of Pig Production Department at Barcom, focused on the characteristics of the company's pig farms and shared plans for further development.
At the end of the business programme, the participants noted that further frank and constructive discussion of common interests between the Dutch and Ukrainian agricultural sectors would form the basis for synergistic cooperation in the future.