Ukraine’s Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Taras Vysotskyi, held a meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Ukraine, Ahmed Salama Mohamed Elhamshary. First Deputy Minister Denys Bashlyk also attended the meeting.
The key topic of the discussions was the critical situation surrounding Ukrainian exports through the Black Sea and its impact on international food markets.
Taras Vysotskyi emphasised that restrictions on Ukraine’s maritime export capacity have consequences not only for Ukrainian farmers but also for global food security. For Egypt, one of the world’s largest grain importers, the stability of food supplies from the Black Sea region is particularly important.
“The situation with maritime exports remains extremely difficult. Alternative routes cannot fully replace the capacity of deep-water Black Sea ports. This affects not only Ukrainian producers but also the stability of food supplies to global markets,” Vysotskyi said.
The minister noted that Ukraine is making maximum use of alternative export routes via the Danube, railways and road transport. However, their capacity is insufficient to fully compensate for the capabilities of deep-water Black Sea ports.
The two sides discussed the consequences of this situation for international food trade and the safety of civilian shipping.
A separate part of the talks focused on developing bilateral agricultural trade. The parties discussed preparations for a Ukrainian agricultural trade mission to Egypt and the possibility of holding meetings with key government agencies responsible for grain procurement.
“Egypt is one of the key markets for Ukrainian agricultural products. It is important for us not only to maintain trade but also to expand our presence in this market. During the upcoming visit, we want to focus on practical issues — direct contacts with buyers and new opportunities for Ukrainian producers,” the minister emphasised.
The parties also discussed the possibility of establishing a Ukrainian agricultural hub in Egypt. The initiative could become a long-term instrument for strengthening the presence of Ukrainian agricultural products in Egypt and across the wider region.
“An agricultural hub could become a permanent platform for Ukrainian agricultural products in Egypt and strengthen our presence in the region. The next step is to work out its operating model, logistics and possible mechanisms for involving international partners in detail,” Denys Bashlyk said.
The two sides agreed to continue working on practical measures to develop bilateral agricultural trade and prepare further contacts between Ukraine and Egypt.
