On December 2-3, 2024, the International Agro&Food Security Forum 2024 was held in Warsaw, gathering over 250 participants from 24 countries. The event served as a platform to discuss the restoration of Ukraine's agricultural sector, strengthening international cooperation, and addressing global food security challenges.
The forum was organized by the Community of Pulse Producers and Customers of Ukraine (CPPCU) and the Polish-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce, with support from USAID AGRO, Chemonics, and AgriSales. This collaboration demonstrated the collective efforts of international partners and the business community toward Ukraine’s recovery. The event was held under the patronage of Ukraine’s Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food and Poland’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Vitalii Koval, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, opened the forum with an emphasis on the importance of Ukrainian-Polish trade relations:
"Ukraine is a trade partner for Poland. I propose opening a new chapter of cooperation between our countries, focusing not on obstacles but on opportunities and synergy. Together, we can achieve great results by applying Polish technology, resources, and expertise in Ukraine. We also have significant potential for exporting to third markets. For instance, in the first ten months of 2024, Poland exported $5.651 billion worth of goods to Ukraine, while Ukraine exported $4.015 billion to Poland. Ukraine is ready to offer its partners unique opportunities in processing, bioethanol production, and feed manufacturing."
Czesław Siekierski, Poland's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, highlighted Poland’s commitment to supporting Ukraine:
"We are ready to share our experience and technologies to help Ukraine adapt to European market requirements. Joint raw material processing can be the next stage of our cooperation."
One of the forum’s central topics was the role of pulses in global food security. Hüseyin Arslan, Chairman of AGT Foods Ingredients and former President of the Global Pulse Confederation, emphasized:
"Pulses are not just a food source; they are the cornerstone of sustainable agriculture. They reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers, enrich the soil with nitrogen, and contribute to environmental preservation. Ukraine has unique natural conditions for growing pulses and can become a global leader in this sector."
Gaurav Jain, CEO of AgPulse Analytica and a global expert on pulse markets, added:
"Restoring pulse cultivation to 1 million hectares can strengthen Ukraine's position as a key player in the market. Proximity to the European Union and Turkey creates unique competitive advantages for Ukrainian producers."
İlker Akyürek, of Akyürek Group Technology, stressed the importance of technology in rebuilding Ukraine’s agricultural infrastructure:
"Our technologies minimize crop losses and ensure quality. This is a strategic resource for Ukraine’s economic recovery."
Antonina Skliarenko, President of the CPPCU, expressed optimism about the prospects of pulses for Ukraine:
"Growing pulses is not just about exports but also about creating high-value-added products. Restoring production is a contribution to global food stability."
The Agro&Food Security Forum 2024 proved to be a powerful platform for contract signing, experience sharing, and discussing challenges and opportunities in the agricultural sector. Participants agreed on the importance of international cooperation, innovation, and strategic approaches to restoring Ukraine’s agricultural potential.
See you at the Agro&Food Security Forum 2025, which promises to be even more impactful and open new horizons for international collaboration!