Ukraine and Saudi Arabia Expand Agricultural Trade and Investment Partnership
Ukraine and Saudi Arabia have agreed to strengthen cooperation in agri-food trade and investment. The focus is on agricultural exports, port infrastructure, processing, and new joint projects.
Ukraine and Saudi Arabia have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of agri-food trade and attract investment into Ukraine’s agricultural sector. This was discussed during a meeting between Ukraine’s Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Taras Vysotskyi and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water Resources, and Agriculture Abdurrahman Al-Fadli.
One of the key issues was ensuring stable exports of Ukrainian agricultural products. Saudi Arabia is a major food importer and a regional logistics hub, and Ukraine is interested in increasing direct shipments of grain and other agricultural products to the Saudi market.
The parties paid particular attention to the impact of Russian attacks on Ukraine’s port and logistics infrastructure. Before the security situation deteriorated, Ukraine exported approximately 6 million metric tons of cargo monthly through the ports of Greater Odesa. Alternative routes can compensate for only a portion of maritime shipments, while additional logistics costs for exporting agricultural products have risen by approximately $45 per metric ton due to the attacks.
Another area of partnership is expected to be Saudi investments in Ukraine’s agricultural sector. The parties plan to organize a joint Ukrainian-Saudi business seminar with private-sector participation, where Ukraine will present investment opportunities in port infrastructure, terminals, and the processing and production of agricultural products.
Discussions are also underway regarding expanding the presence of Ukrainian producers in the Saudi Arabian market. Promising areas include the supply of poultry products and veterinary drugs.
Following the talks, the parties agreed to continue working at the level of specialized teams, prepare a draft Memorandum of Cooperation, intensify contacts between Ukrainian and Saudi businesses, and develop new trade and investment projects.
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