The Ukrainian law on organic production has been at different stages of preparation for almost 8 years. In April 2011, the law was even adopted by the Parliament of the country (Verkhovna Rada) but, after being vetoed by the President, parliamentarians rejected it in September 2011, returning Ukraine - one of the leading agricultural countries in Europe but not having its own organic legislation - to the terms of the EU organic regulation in their production, processing and marketing. Nevertheless the internal organic market doubled in the last years and developed very well.
The organic land area has been increased constantly since the 1990s and, acording to the Organic Federation of Ukraine, amounted to 270,226 hectares at the beginning of 2011. The number of organic farms is also constantly growing: 142 farms operated according to organic guidelines in 2010 compared with only 31 in 2002. Thus the average size of a Ukranian farm is 1,900 ha. Organic grain, oilseeds, beans and wild berries are exported mainly to EU countries. The remaining products are used as seeds or for feed purposes, processed and exported or sold in the domestic market, that started to develop in 2008. (Picture: Organic conference in Kiev, in the middle: OFU chairman Eugene Milovanov)
A major part of the certified organic products available in Ukraine, like baby food, coffee, sugar, oils, rice, spices, chocolates, cosmetics, etc. is imported mainly from EU countries, although the number of organic products of Ukrainian origin on the domestic market is increasing every year. Among these are flakes, flour, jams, syrups, juices, honey, fresh vegetables, herbs, eggs, dairy and meat products. In 2008, the total domestic market for organic products amounted to just 0.6 million euros. It doubled in 2009. In 2010 it reached 2.4 million euros. Further growth to over 5 million euros is expected by the end of 2011, according to the Organic Federation of Ukraine.
In 2009-2011, in collaboration with other organic stakeholders and with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Organic Federation of Ukraine organised organic markets in Lviv and Kiev that have become powerful drivers of faster development of the organic market in the country. Certified organic products are now available not only directly from the organic farms but also via internet shops, in specialized shops or big supermarkets in Kiev and Odessa, Lviv, Kharkov, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Donetsk and other big cities in Ukraine.
In October 2009, the Organic Federation of Ukraine made a presentation with the first 100% organic menu, where all dishes were prepared only from certified organic ingredients. Now organic products are becoming more and more popular in restaurants. Five quick&casual restaurants, operating under the brands Pizza Celentano and Potato House in Lviv and in cooperation with the Ukrainian “Pan Eko” brand, were the first to offer their customers organic menus. After very appreciative feedback from the restaurants’ customers, especially from mothers with their kids, Pan Eko (the winner of the title “The best organic brand of Ukraine” in 2009, 2010 and 2011) decided to expand to other premium restaurants, starting in Kiev. Since then, as reported by Organic UA magazine, 4 stars Radisson Blu Hotel in the capital of Ukraine, seven restaurants belonging to the famous local restaurant chain Carte Blanche and some other restaurants, have followed the green trend and have included organic jams, syrups and juices in their menus.
Since November 2011 the canteens and bars of Verkhovna Rada have also been serving Members of Parliament and visitors with Pan Eko apple, pear, plum, grape and tomato juices that are certified in accordance with the EU organic regulation. “There is a hope that the unique taste of real organic products could become the crucial reason why politicians finally adopt the law on organic production and why such products become more affordable all over Ukraine”, says Eugene Milovanov, chairman of the Organic Federation of Ukraine, expressing his hopes for 2012.
Source: http://www.organic-market.info/web/Know_How/Ukrainian_organic_market_is_doubling/219/0/0/11630.html
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