February 5 2008, 17:05

Ukraine's entrance to WTO will positively influence the development of fruit & vegetable business of the country

To the opinion of Andriy Yarmak, the head of "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" project, the entrance of Ukraine to WTO will benefit to the development of fruit & vegetable business of the country. In 2005 Ukraine voluntary declined the tariff rates for almost all types of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables; so the main changes will primarily concern the supplies of inputs, equipment, seeds and machinery. Respectively, the simplified transfer scheme will contribute to the improvement of the technological level of production, storage, post harvest handling and processing of fruits and vegetables. Also, the adjustment of quality standards and gradual elimination of the trade barriers between Ukraine and EU will support the increased export supplies of fresh fruits and vegetables from Ukraine to EU countries in medium-term perspective.

According to the forecasts done by the specialists of "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits", as soon as in the new season Ukraine will be able to increase the vegetable exports to EU countries. Also, the simplified procedures of fruit & vegetable product imports will benefit to the reduced share of fruit and vegetable contraband. This step will also stabilize the trade, which will result in the smoothed out price fluctuations in its turn. In future, there will be a positive influence on the inflation decline in Ukraine, A. Yarmak thinks.