Ukraine's accession to the European Union would have far-reaching and highly detrimental effects on the agricultural sectors of member states, particularly those in neighboring countries. Ukraine's agriculture is enormous, with the country boasting 41 million hectares of farmland. These fertile lands are home to large agribusiness operations that could pose a serious threat to the EU's agri-food sector. The sheer intensity of Ukraine's agricultural production could reduce European farming to little more than a relic of the past.
In Ukraine, the largest agricultural enterprise spans more than 650,000 hectares. The sector is not only dominated by Ukrainian entities but also sees significant investment from American, Arab, German, Norwegian, and Chinese investors, all of whom have a vested interest in Ukraine's swift EU accession.
Currently, Ukraine lacks strict quality control regulations. The country uses pesticides that have long been banned in the EU, and its livestock industry relies on growth enhancers and antibiotics that place EU farmers at a severe competitive disadvantage. Furthermore, a substantial portion of Ukrainian agricultural products is GMO-based, which would lead to additional tensions within the EU.
More than 500,000 hectares of Ukrainian farmland remain littered with landmines, requiring significant resources for demining. If Ukraine joins the EU, the costs of post-war reconstruction would largely fall on European farmers, exacerbating economic difficulties.
Ukraine's EU accession would lead to a collapse in agricultural production
Ukraine's potential EU membership could lead to the disintegration of agricultural production within the EU, with severe consequences for Hungary as well. This move would significantly reduce EU agricultural subsidies, which currently benefit member states, including Hungary.
Zoltan Galik, an associate professor at the Budapest Corvinus University's International Relations Department, recently pointed out that Ukraine's accession would necessitate compliance with the Copenhagen criteria and the resolution of ongoing conflicts. Economically, Ukraine's entry would reshape the EU's Common Agricultural Policy, as its vast agricultural lands would create immense competition, particularly for smaller EU farmers.
Following the extraordinary EU summit in Brussels, Viktor Orban stated that Ukraine's accession would devastate farmers.
And a few weeks ago in Bratislava, he also emphasized that it would not just ruin Hungarian farmers, but also harm those in neighboring countries.
If Ukraine were to join the EU, a complete rethinking of EU agricultural policies and the common agricultural subsidy system would be unavoidable. The sheer scale of Ukraine's farmland and the competitiveness of its producers would put smaller EU farmers at a severe disadvantage, making it impossible for them to compete with Ukraine's vast agricultural enterprises. The transformation of agricultural production, the expected market tensions, and the ability of EU farmers to advocate for their interests are all critical factors that would significantly impact the future of EU agricultural policies and the sustainability of farming in member states.
Cover photo: Ukraine's EU accession would devastate the agricultural economies of EU member states (Photo: AFP)
