Switzerland to provide funding for Ukrainian grain storage, support organic sector

Switzerland has pledged financial assistance to Ukraine for grain storage and support for the organic sector, according to Ukrinform quoting the Ukrainian Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food. The talks were facilitated by Ukrainian Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Taras Vysotskyi and Swiss Federal Council Delegate for Ukraine Jacques Gerber.

The focus was on logistics, as up to 30 million tonnes of agricultural products are at risk due to restrictions on maritime exports. Ukraine requires increased temporary crop storage capacity until export routes become stable, Vysotskyi emphasized, stressing the importance of preserving already harvested crops and ensuring farmers can continue their work.

In addition to storage, the project aims to promote high-value-added sectors like organic production, dairy and meat, and processing. Ukraine also seeks targeted assistance for small farmers, with the FAO project proposing coordination through the State Agrarian Register to identify needs such as grain bags.

Switzerland presented a CHF 30 million program to aid Ukrainian businesses, including agribusiness, food industry, and woodworking. Grants will be provided to government agencies, business associations, and SMEs, with the program launching in early November.

The Ukrainian side also suggested a potential collaboration on developing infrastructure for the safe disposal of animal by-products, aiming to meet European veterinary and environmental standards while expanding access to relevant infrastructure for small producers.