Ukrainian grain is needed for the production of Spanish ham.
This was stated by Alberto Fernandez-Díez, head of the trade and economic department of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, during a discussion at the Economic Strategy Center.
As noted by senior economist of the Economic Strategy Center, Yana Okhrimenko, Spain has been and remains one of the key importers of Ukrainian agricultural products.
'Interestingly, grains dominate the structure of Spanish imports from Ukraine, while the structure of exports to Ukraine consists of finished food products and livestock products. The Ukrainian agricultural sector is an important link in the value chain of Spanish ham, and this clearly demonstrates how the developed crop sector in Ukraine creates prerequisites for the competitive advantage of EU member states.
Despite the dissatisfaction of Spanish farmers, the benefits of free trade with Ukraine outweigh the losses of the minority,' adds Yana Okhrimenko, senior economist at the ESC.
According to the Economic Strategy Center, Spain is among the top three buyers of agricultural products that Ukraine sent to the EU in 2023.
