Ukraine initiates import substitution process in state procurement of food products

MOSCOW. Nov 13 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry has set an objective to prioritize import substitution in state procurement of food products, Ukrainian media quoted Minister of Agrarian Policy Vitaly Koval as saying on social media.

The ministry has scrutinized the structure of state procurement and determined that most of them are imported food products, he said.

"The Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry jointly with the government are elaborating a roadmap for redirecting state procurement. We are starting with fish. This will have a positive impact on the country's balance of payments, will create higher demand for fish grown in Ukraine and will impart an impetus to the development of this industry. And we are simultaneously advancing in other sectors," he said.

Fish, in particular, hake and pangasius, is supplied to government agencies mainly from abroad. Hence, imported fish was purchased for nearly 40 billion hryvni in 2023.

The Agrarian Policy Ministry aims to change the policy of state procurement in favor of Ukrainian fish, silver carp and white amur, Koval said. The ministry received confirmation of compliance with the energy values of these fish species from the Health Ministry's chief nutritionist.