The Agro&Food Security Forum 2023, which took place on October 10-11, 2023, in Warsaw, gathered approximately 300 participants from 26 countries worldwide. Farmers, traders, processors, lawyers, and representatives of logistics companies were seeking new business opportunities. The event was organized by the Community Of Pulse Producers And Customers Of Ukraine” (SPPBU) and the Polish-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce.
During the forum, Deputy Minister of Agricultural Policy and Food, Taras Vysotsky, stressed the importance of food security and expressed the belief that the forum's discussions would help increase Ukraine's agricultural exports and reduce logistics costs.
Despite the ongoing war and other challenges, the Ukrainian agricultural sector will continue to operate. Antonina Sklyarenko, the head of SVSBU, stated that farmers would continue to grow grains, oilseeds, and pulses to feed the world. In terms of logistics, producers would choose crops that are easier and cheaper to export, such as oilseeds and pulses.
Hussein Arslan, the head of AGT Foods Ingredients, shared insights that global technologies would focus on cultivating high-protein plants in the future.
According to analysts, the world has entered a period of low grain prices supported by various factors, including EU policies, economic events in China, and strikes by agricultural producers in different countries. Agricultural markets underestimate climate change against this backdrop.
"September 2023 has become the hottest month on the planet. However, the markets are too complacent, monitoring prices and ignoring climate and weather factors. The growth of agricultural production is slowing down dramatically," warned Jonathan Grange, a partner at Sunstone Brokers SA.
The world is interested in the agricultural products of Ukraine, but politics hinders sustainable logistics and economic ties.
Krzysztof Ambroziak, the President of the Polish Soy Association, mentioned that soy is the fourth plant that feeds the world and Poland has a great need for soy when it comes to processing. The consumption market for soy in Poland is 0.5-0.8 million tons, with sowing areas covering 44 thousand hectares. Local farmers are expected to harvest approximately 120-150 thousand tons of this crop this year. He added that Poland is interested in importing soy from Ukraine, where it is of high quality.
At the same time, experts in the Polish market acknowledge that Poland cannot ensure the sale of Ukrainian soy due to complex logistics and long queues at border crossings related to permitting documents.
A.G.A. Partner Irina Moroz discussed the problems faced by Ukrainian exporters in international trade. Over the past year and a half, the main causes of trade disputes have been related to grain quality claims, buyers refusing to pay, and the unstable operation of the grain corridor. A.G.A. experts conducted an exclusive seminar for forum participants titled "Contract Fulfillment through New Logistics Routes," helping exporters navigate the legal complexities of the new logistics reality.
A business trip to the ports of Gdynia and Gdansk, as well as discussions with representatives of the ports of Klaipeda and Koper, PKP Cargo, two days of networking, and the opportunity to directly sign contracts, became an integral part of the Agro&Food Security Forum.
The event was supported by:
Golden Sponsor: Arab India Spices
Silver Sponsor: Unia Araj
Legal Sponsor: AGA
Sponsors: EU-NOMIA, Ascet Shipping, Indrayani Overseas, Atria Brokers, RORA Group, Syngenta, Sunstone Brokers, Bashan Pulses Tukiye