Ukrainian agricultural exports coming out of shadow - agriculture ministry

MOSCOW. Jan 26 (Interfax) - Ukrainian authorities have done everything possible to bring exports of agricultural products out of the shadow, and the business community has accepted the export verification rules, Ukrainian media quoted Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Nikolai Solsky as saying in comments.

"Export control of agricultural produce is something that had to be done. I believe, important changes have now been made," Solsky said, announcing that the agricultural sector will see more changes in 2024.

This will include amending export rules in February and streamlining the State Agrarian Register in April following a corresponding government decision, he said.

"There is a need to synchronize the databases of banks, the National Bank's services, and the customs service so that the State Agrarian Register could receive information from the authorized agencies. This also includes information that constitutes a banking secret, and therefore should to be properly regulated. This would enable us to respond to improprieties quickly and effectively. Everything will be done in a way to make sure that inspections do not depend on officials and businesses," Solsky said.

The digitalization of export verification processes will make it impossible not to comply with the rules and will enable everyone to work in equal conditions, Solsky said.

The business community has shown its understanding of the need to regulate these processes, he said.

Asked whether the state has managed to handle the so-called shady grain problem, Solsky said it has a long history and can hardly be resolved immediately.

"This problem has a long history. Therefore, you cannot cure the illness in a day by taking a single pill. We see that the volume [of undeclared grain on the market] has dropped dramatically. I think it's going to shrink even more in the next season, because numerous businesses are rearranging their relations with the state, considering that this is the only way they can work," Solsky said, adding that the restrictions imposed by the state are beneficial to businesses and make their work easier.