The European Union has revised a trade agreement with Ukraine, but concerns have been raised around the country’s ability to meet EU food standards.
An update to the EU–Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) entered into force in late October.
New market access is conditional on the gradual alignment of Ukraine to EU production standards, such as animal welfare as well as the use of pesticides and veterinary medicines by 2028. Ukraine is expected to report every year on its progress.
By adopting EU food production standards, Ukraine will be a step closer to being a member of the European Union. Ukraine’s main exports to the EU are cereals, animal or vegetable fats and oils, and oil seeds.
Challenge of monitoring compliance
A joint statement from eight food groups called for checks on the ground and strict traceability controls by the European Commission.
“The planned alignment of Ukrainian production standards, in particular on animal welfare and on plant protection products use, with EU rules by 2028 is progress but no guarantees have been provided regarding its genuine implementation,” they said.
Copa-Cogeca, the voice of farmers and their cooperatives in Europe; the Association of Poultry Processors and Poultry Trade in the EU (AVEC); and the European Association of Sugar Manufacturers (CEFS) were some of the groups behind the statement.
In October, the European Council voted in favor of the proposed trade agreement with Ukraine. However, Hungary and Slovakia voted against it.
The Hungarian Chamber of Agriculture (NAK) and the National Association of Hungarian Farmers’ Circles and Farmers Cooperatives (MAGOSZ) said it endangers future European food production and poses a serious food safety risk to consumers.
The groups questioned how compliance with EU standards would be monitored and said the increased volume of Ukrainian imports raises food safety concerns.
Outbreak examples
Earlier this year, Sweden updated a Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak caused by eggs from Ukraine.
The Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndigheten) said the number of cases was significantly lower compared to 2024, but new patients were still being recorded.
In 2024, 100 infections with different types of Salmonella epidemiologically linked to eggs were reported. Up to June 2025, around 12 more people had been ill. Salmonella Enteritidis was detected in a batch of Ukrainian eggs.
Chicken meat from Ukraine was linked to another Salmonella outbreak in 2024.
From 2021 to March 2024, 300 Salmonella Mbandaka patients were reported in several countries, with most of them in the UK or Finland. The outbreak strain was identified in chicken breast fillets produced in Ukraine.
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