Clean standard: how Ukrainian organic products are winning their place in the sun
15 October 17:20
ANALYSIS FROM 
Environmentally friendly, natural, chemical-free, and GMO-free – these are the associations consumers have when it comes to organic products. And they have good reason for such perceptions. We found out why
77 percent of Ukrainians have a positive attitude towards organic products – these data were recorded in 2024 as part of a study conducted by the Organic Initiative public union in cooperation with the MZ Hub research company. And although in 2020 there were slightly more positive consumers – 81% – positive stability is present. And it is manifested not only in this data.
Figures and trends
As of December 2024, there were 436 organic operators in Ukraine (364 of them were agricultural producers). The number of organic operators certified in accordance with the requirements of Ukrainian legislation has increased – 260 operators in 2024 compared to 152 in 2023.
Total sales of organic products in Ukraine last year reached 7647 tons, which is more than 5% higher than in 2023. Dairy products are the undisputed leader in the consumption structure – more than 3 thousand tons. The second place is taken by the fresh group (vegetables, fruits, berries and mushrooms) – 2,880 tons, followed by cereals, cereals, flour and snacks with a result of more than 1,100 tons.
A recent report by the European Commission on imports of organic products from third countries to the EU ranked Ukraine 3rd among 123 countries in terms of organic supply to the European Union in 2024. This is not the best result – in 2019, it was the second place, but in 2023, there was a drop in exports. Once again, the Ukrainian organic sector is showing positive dynamics.
Categories that formed the basis of organic exports from Ukraine last year
- grain crops (wheat, corn, barley) – 83,728 tons – Ukraine is the largest supplier of organic grains to the EU;
- oilseeds and protein crops (soybeans, sunflower, rapeseed) – 78,069 tons – 3rd place among suppliers in this category;
- fruits and nuts (including frozen berries) – 22,517 tons – 8th place among exporters.
Despite the growth, Organicinfo states that the share of organic products in Ukraine’s total agricultural exports to the EU remains very low – only 0.03%. However, this is also a positive sign: there is great potential for further development of the industry and increase of exports, in particular, of products with higher added value.
Tested and guaranteed
Inspection at every stage of the production process – from the field to the store shelf – is a fundamental feature of organic products.
A guarantee or even a quality mark for organic products is always the appropriate labeling on the packaging. The state logo for Ukrainian organic products combines two circles of yellow (sun) and blue (water) colors, forming a green leaf in the middle. Organic products can also be labeled with the so-called “Euroleaf” – the European Union logo for organic products. It means that the production of this product meets the requirements of EU organic legislation.
Olena Deyneko, chairman of the board of the Organic Initiative NGO, continues.
“The peculiarity of organic production and the market is that all production processes from the very beginning to the customer (in export) or to the store shelf are fully controlled by the relevant certifying bodies. Both certification and labeling, which accompany every package or label of an organic product, are an identifier of this control. It is a completely white transparent market and fully controlled processes. That is why organic products, in particular, are more expensive than non-organic ones. The consumer pays for the organic components of the product, and for this guarantee and control of the certifying body. To understand, the work of an organic operator begins with the fact that he first applies to the certifying body and signs a contract. Only then does the field, farm or enterprise become certified organic,” explains Olena Deyneko.
According to her, the certifying bodies operating in Ukraine are directly subordinated and controlled by the certifying body of the countries whose accreditation they have for organic certification in Ukraine. For example, Organic Standard is controlled by the European Commission when it comes to the “Euroleaf”, i.e. organic certification according to the EU standard and legislation. Or it is subordinated to the Ukrainian relevant authorities when certifying according to the Ukrainian standard. The certifying body is also subject to inspections by the relevant authorities that control it. The reputation of the leading certification companies in organic production in Ukraine is unshakable.
How are organic products controlled? Sergiy Galashevsky, Director of Organic Standard, answers this question.
Every organic production operator undergoes a mandatory annual inspection, which is warned about in advance. But this is only the basic level. Additionally, at least 10% of operators have another, unannounced inspection. Organic production is, without exaggeration, one of the most controlled areas in the entire agri-food sector. In addition to inspections, the certification body annually takes product samples (at least 5% of the time) for laboratory analysis, primarily for pesticide residues and GMO content for GM risky crops. This allows us to assess risks and confirm compliance. We also carry out random inspections of batches during shipment of products – all in accordance with the risk assessment,” explains the expert.
According to him, the result of this multi-level control is a guarantee that each batch and each product bearing the organic label really meets the requirements of the standards. Sergiy Galashevsky continues.
“Since the requirements for organic crop and livestock production are quite strict, most projects, for example, in the dairy sector, have a closed cycle. That is, the farmer has his own land, his own cows, and his own processing. The chain is transparent: from the field to the bottle of milk. We know exactly where the milk comes from, what the animals were fed and how everything was produced. I’m not sure if any large dairy in Ukraine can say the same – most buy raw materials without having full control over their production and origin. But in organic production, control and transparency are the norm. That is why the organic status is, so to speak, the “cherry on top” of the already controlled production and a high-quality and safe product,” emphasizes the director of Organic Standard.
Olena Deyneko draws attention to another important component of organic production – the ideological one.
“I have been working in the organic market for a long time, more than 10 years, I know many owners and managers of companies personally, I have visited many organic production facilities, I have seen how everything is built there, how conscious, positive, clear and transparent transparent business is, and I can assure you that all the owners and managers of the brands of products that are on the shelf are not only entrepreneurs and businessmen, but ideological people who are sincerely committed to their work and care about the nutrition of Ukrainians. These organic products are 100% guaranteed to be free of harmful or chemical substances, and it is the organic label that guarantees this,” emphasizes the Chairman of the Board of the Organic Initiative NGO.
Safe and healthy
Organic products are healthy and safe. Such associations are stable and, in fact, not accidental.
Cleaner and free of harmful ingredients, healthier and more useful, and of better quality – these are the three main advantages of organic products named by participants in a study conducted last year by the Organic Initiative NGO in cooperation with the MZ Hub research company.
And, by the way, health benefits and naturalness are among the main factors for consumers when choosing food. However, the optimal price-quality ratio and previous successful experience, i.e. how proven the product is, are a little more decisive.
Source
Sergiy Galashevsky, Director of Organic Standard:
Personally, I like organic breakfasts, especially dairy products. My child, for example, often eats organic porridge. It is a common practice in our family – we eat organic cottage cheese with organic sour cream and organic honey several times a week. On the shelves of our refrigerator, you can always find products from Organic Milk or Staryi Porytsk – usually cottage cheese, sour cream, and milk. And my son loves corn sticks from the Ecorod brand with strawberries. They have a light sweet and sour flavor. And this is probably one of the best examples of how children’s treats can be natural and tasty for children.
Olena Deyneko, Chairman of the Board of the Organic Initiative NGO:
I have been in the agricultural sector for many years and have been studying the technologies of growing and producing both conventional and organic products. I believe that organic products are the best choice for those who eat consciously, want to control and know exactly what they are feeding their family and their children. I have two children of middle school age and I personally buy everything organic.
Price vs. quality
Optimal value for money – this factor was named the main one when choosing products by 55% of consumers who took part in the study “Awareness and Perception of Organic Products in Ukraine”, conducted in 2024 by the Public Union “Organic Initiative” in cooperation with the research company MZ Hub. So the question: “Is it possible and how to reduce the price of organic products while maintaining quality?” addressed to professionals involved in organic production can be considered logical.
According to Olena Deyneko, head of the Organic Initiative business association, there are various reasons for the high cost of organic products.
If we are talking about berry or grain products, for example, the yield of organic products is lower. This directly affects the economics of production. Also, organic production naturally requires much more manual labor, which also significantly increases the cost of production. For example, finished products – I mean sausages, snack foods, etc. – are more expensive due to the need for separate processing certification and more expensive organic ingredients. There are other factors that make products more expensive. That is, it’s about the production system, the economics of production,” the expert notes.
Serhii Halashevskyi, director of Organic Standard, suggested that those who believe that organic products are more expensive should conduct an experiment.
“I always suggest skeptics to do a simple experiment: go to a supermarket with a good assortment and compare prices. Take dairy products, for example. You will see that organic products are not the most expensive. Yes, sometimes there are cheaper counterparts, but there are also more expensive non-organic or craft products. On average, organic products do cost a little more, but it’s a matter of choice. There is everything on the shelves: domestic and imported, organic and inorganic, craft. So, in the end, it’s the consumer’s choice: what they want to support, what they consider valuable for themselves and their families,” the expert emphasizes.
“Indeed, there is a choice. Organic producers, having decided to engage in this special business, made their choice long ago. And, apparently, most of them have not regretted it, at least because they continue to do it. Consumers should also make their own choice. Especially since they have the opportunity to do so.
Author – Sergey Vasilevich
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