The third Ukraine - The Netherlands Agricultural Dialogue (UANLAD) took place on 30 and 31 March, 2026 in Breda, The Netherlands. The UANLAD is co-organized by the Ukrainian National Agrarian Forum UNAF and the Netherlands Farmers’ and Growers’ Association LTO NEDERLAND with full support and encouragement of the Ministries of Agriculture of both countries.
The third UANLAD event was opened by Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Mr Taras Kachka, LTO President Mr Ger Koopmans, UNAF director Ms Mariia Didukh and senior Ukrainian and Dutch government representatives. Ambassadors Mr Andrii Kostin and Mr Alle Dorhout were also present at the meeting.
Director General of the Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation Pavlo Koval, speaking on Ukrainian Radio, provided a comprehensive analysis of the key challenges currently facing Ukrainian farmers. In an in-depth discussion, he outlined the hidden complexities of European integration, explained the impact of the Middle East crisis on the cost of the sowing campaign in Ukraine, and emphasized the critical importance of implementing artificial intelligence to address the labor shortage.
The President of the Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation, Leonid Kozachenko, in an interview with Ukrainian Radio, analyzed the key challenges faced by Ukrainian farmers during this year’s spring field campaign. He spoke about the impact of mined territories on overall harvest volumes, export difficulties caused by European quotas and border protests, and shared forecasts regarding food prices and domestic food security.
European agricultural policy is entering a phase of change that goes beyond the traditional logic of the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy). There is a gradual shift from a stable, rule-based model toward a more flexible and adaptive system. Agricultural policy is increasingly intertwined with trade, regulation, budget constraints, and broader concerns of food and economic security. Brussels is forced to rewrite the rules of the game due to four specific factors.
WHY EU POLICY IS CHANGING: REAL MOTIVES
The President of the Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation, Leonid Kozachenko, in an interview with Suspilne News, analyzed the current situation on the mineral fertilizers market, outlined the impact of European sanctions against Russia on the agricultural sector, and shared his outlook on the upcoming harvest and food prices in Ukraine.
To better understand the overall situation, could you explain where the European Union currently sources fertilizers from and how dependent it is on Russia?
February 2026 did not deliver a headline regulatory shock in Brussels. It delivered something more consequential for the medium term — a visible change in how the EU is thinking about agriculture itself. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is no longer being treated primarily as a stable, self-contained support system. It is increasingly being handled as part of a wider political equation that includes budget pressure, social sensitivity, strategic autonomy, and enlargement.
Opinion 05/2026 published by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) does not amend current legislation and does not redefine the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). However, its substance signals a moment of structural tension in the proposed CAP architecture for the 2028-2034 period. The ECA warns that the proposed model may result in a complex CAP legal architecture and complicated planning arrangements, potentially affecting predictability, implementation timelines, and certainty for beneficiaries.
Global attention to pulses is growing rapidly — and for good reason. They combine food security, economic efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Speaking on the program “Today. Afternoon” on Ukrainian Radio, Pavlo Koval, Director General of the Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation (UAC), outlined the strategic importance of pulses for both Ukraine and the world.
January 2026 in European agricultural policy was not marked by grand strategies or visionary reforms. Instead, it was the month of a "hard collision" between expectations and reality. The key takeaway from the start of the year is unambiguous: the center of gravity in decision-making has shifted from the supranational level of the European Commission to the national capitals of Member States. For the EU, this is an era of caution; for Ukraine, it is a signal that the rules of engagement have fundamentally changed.
President of the Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation Leonid Kozachenko, speaking on Suspilne News, commented on the situation in the vegetable oil market, price prospects, energy challenges for producers, and Ukraine’s role in ensuring global food security.