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PoliticsUkraine restores Agriculture Ministry ahead of EU accession talks
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Ukraine's Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food has resumed operations one year after being dissolved and merged into a super-ministry. The ministry restarted under Taras Vysotsky, who previously served as first deputy agriculture minister. The move is part of a broader government reshuffle by President Zelenskyy to advance Ukraine's EU accession bid, as Brussels prepares to open new negotiating clusters. Agriculture is a critical sector for Ukraine, contributing 7.6% of GDP in 2025 and over half of exports. Agricultural organizations had criticized the merger, arguing it complicated governance and EU accession preparations. The agriculture chapter is considered one of the most challenging in EU negotiations, particularly regarding future access to Common Agricultural Policy subsidies. Environmental policy will remain under the economy ministry.
Source report
Ukraine's Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food has resumed operations, one year after it was dissolved and merged into the newly created Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture.
The ministry officially restarted work this week under the leadership of Taras Vysotsky, who was appointed minister after serving as first deputy agriculture minister since 2021.
Part of Broader Government Reshuffle
The move forms part of a broader government reshuffle announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier this month, aimed at advancing Ukraine’s strategic priorities, including its bid to join the EU as Brussels prepares to open new negotiating clusters. Environmental policy will remain under the remit of the economy ministry.
Economic Significance of Agriculture
Agriculture is one of Ukraine’s most important economic sectors. According to the World Bank:
- It accounted for 7.6% of GDP in 2025
- This compares with around 1.6% across the EU
- The sector also accounted for more than half of Ukraine’s exports in 2025
Despite its economic significance, the previous government abolished the ministry in July 2025 as part of a major cabinet reshuffle since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, folding its responsibilities into the new super-ministry.
Industry Reaction
Agricultural organisations argued that merging agriculture into a 'super-ministry' complicated governance and weakened preparations for EU accession.
"Ukrainian farmers welcome the restoration of the ministry given the strategic importance of the sector for the country’s economic resilience," Nazar Bobitski, director of the Brussels office of the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB), told Euractiv.
Bobitski described Vysotsky as "a top-class professional" with extensive experience in agricultural policy, public administration and EU agricultural affairs.
EU Accession Challenges
The agriculture chapter is widely regarded as one of the most challenging parts of Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations, as it covers the politically sensitive question of future access to the bloc’s multi-billion-euro Common Agricultural Policy subsidies.
(adm)
Source
EuractivWestern
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Ukraine Restores Agriculture Ministry Ahead of EU Accession Talks