At the initiative of Ukraine’s Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, an off-site meeting was held under the chairmanship of First Deputy Minister Taras Vysotsky to discuss the development of fisheries and aquaculture.
The event focused on increasing the procurement of fish products for the needs of state institutions.
The meeting was attended by Vladyslav Neveselyi, head of the State Fisheries Agency, representatives of the defense forces, law enforcement agencies, and the largest producers of Ukrainian fish.
Taras Vysotsky emphasized that Ukraine has all the capabilities to supply itself with domestically produced fish, but to achieve this, demand must be created—primarily among the defense forces.
“Fisheries are the only sector in Ukraine with a significant import component. I am confident this is a temporary phenomenon because, if we analyze the natural and climatic potential, knowledge, and level of expertise, we essentially have all the prerequisites to fully transition to self-sufficiency. In the long term, we can become an exporting country. I am convinced that after the war, with the reopening of the Black Sea, this segment will expand,” said Taras Vysotsky.
He also noted that the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, under the direction of Minister Vitalii Koval, is working on establishing a renewed culture of fish consumption within the defense forces, law enforcement agencies, penitentiary institutions, and others.
“We have quality raw materials, and now we need to generate demand—from people, from the defense forces—for safe, tasty Ukrainian fish,” Taras Vysotsky concluded.
