The project is funding by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and introducing by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL, Switzerland). The purpose of the project is promoting the integration of Ukrainian small and medium enterprises into international trade through certified organic products.

During 2012-2016 years this international project, which is a continuation of the previous six-year work of FiBL in Ukraine oriented to market demand, will be implemented in two ways: organic agricultural arable crops for the international market of Western European countries and organic dairy products for the domestic market. In addition, the project is aimed at strengthening of the competitiveness of Ukrainian agricultural products by improving the level of commercial services and the development of a favorable business environment for the organic sector in Ukraine. The project is completely consistent with the SECO policy of organic products trade and responds to the priorities of the Ukrainian state policy in agricultural development. The strategy of cooperation between Switzerland and Ukraine for 2011-2014, within the framework of which the project is accomplished, presupposes strengthening economic sustainability of small and medium enterprises through export diversification and integration into international trade.

Today, when the draft Law of Ukraine "On organic production" is under development, and domestic agricultural producers are turning to organic techniques more and more frequently, they are lacking in knowledge of the transition from traditional to organic production, knowledge of marketing and promotion of products. Today, about 190 certified operators (producers, processors, traders of organic products) in Ukraine are working in organic agriculture. Recently in Ukraine the demand for organic dairy products is significantly growing.

International experience and any information of this sort can be used for distribution and increase of public awareness level about organics and strengthening of the organic sector. The Swiss are known as experts of high-level competence in organic agriculture. Therefore, the Swiss-Ukrainian project will stimulate the development of the organic sector and will contribute to the increase in the volume of trade in organic products.

The head of the project "Development of the organic market in Ukraine" Mr. Tobias Ayzenring (FiBL, Switzerland) says: "Organic agriculture in Ukraine is an important factor in resisting degradation of valuable chernozems. In recent years the humus content in the soil decreased significantly and the number of microorganisms in the soil greatly reduced. And as a result, crops are much poorer than they could be."

As per the increase in international demand, the project tends to persuade Ukrainian entrepreneurs, that organic agriculture is worth investing and it is beneficial for both consumers and producers.

Necessity of technical knowledge, skills, and market support is very large. Thus, within the framework of the project experts from the FiBL and other international partners share their experiences in Ukraine to adapt international knowledge to Ukrainian realities.

If you are interested in this project, for more detailed information you can refer to the Kherson Chamber of Commerce and Industry (tel. +380552-325-291, E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)