Kiev working to open new markets for Ukrainian sugar, eggs - acting minister

MOSCOW. June 27 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian government will do its utmost to expand markets for Ukrainian sugar and eggs if the European Union sets import quotas on them, Ukrainian media quoted acting Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Taras Vysotsky as saying in televised remarks.

"Definitely, the European Union is a very appealing market, as it consumes a lot and its residents are well-to-do people. However, our producers have several routes that may also be appealing, which includes the Middle East, North Africa, partially Equatorial Africa, and Southeast Asia," he said.

Speaking about livestock products, Vysotsky said the opening of foreign markets is taking place at the level of negotiations and the clearance of veterinary certificates. Ukraine is currently exploring options for exporting poultry meat and eggs to Southeast Asian countries, where negotiations had been suspended until recently, he said.

The outlook for sugar exports is more optimistic, as this product does not require veterinary clearance, and Ukraine has access to most markets, Vysotsky said. The most problematic aspect of sugar exports is logistics, including the insurance of vessels, which Ukraine has already implemented, although coverage of entry into its ports for container ships is still a pending issue, he said. Ukraine also has well-developed infrastructure for shipping containers via the Danube to Romania's Constanta by the Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company, he said.

"All of this is very important. Sugar exports require available logistics to make it competitive in North Africa and Middle East countries," he said.

If the EU restricts sugar and egg imports, this would normalize prices for these products on the Ukrainian domestic market, he said.