Chinese chemicals under German labels: how agrochemicals worth hundreds of millions of hryvnias were counterfeited in Ukraine
16 July 2025 11:25
An extensive network for the production and sale of counterfeit agrochemical products operated in Ukraine, causing losses worth hundreds of millions of hryvnias. The criminals counterfeited products of leading European and American agricultural companies using raw materials from China and selling counterfeit products through online stores. This was reported by the National Police of Ukraine, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
According to the National Police, the scheme involved eight groups with more than 20 members who created a real counterfeiting industry. The criminals organized eight underground workshops where they manufactured pesticides on an industrial scale from raw materials containing potent and toxic substances. Components for production were ordered directly from China.
In addition to the production facilities, police say, the criminals set up a full cycle of counterfeiting branded products. Two printing shops were operating in Kyiv and Odesa regions, where they produced security holograms, labels, packaging, and instructions that imitated the original products of well-known brands. In Kharkiv region, there was a separate production facility for packaging for counterfeit goods.
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The counterfeit goods were sold not only throughout Ukraine but also in the European Union through online stores and logistics companies. In just five months of this year – from March to July – the criminals produced more than 400 tons of counterfeit agrochemicals. The expected revenue from the sale of this batch was expected to be over UAH 200 million.
The scale of the underground business is impressive. During searches in 12 regions of Ukraine, police seized more than 175 tons of finished counterfeit products and raw materials for their manufacture. The total value of the seized goods exceeds UAH 100 million. They also found equipment for the production of counterfeits, bank cards, documents and almost UAH 9 million in cash in various currencies.
The case is being investigated as fraud, illegal production of toxic substances and trademark infringement. Not only Ukrainian law enforcement officers, but also representatives of the European Anti-Fraud Office participated in the investigation. A joint investigation team was set up with Romania to coordinate the international investigation.
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