Ukraine is currently undergoing a series of land reforms that will result in the creation of a private market for the sale of agricultural land. These reforms will lead to drastic changes in Ukraine's agricultural industry and are intended to promote economic and regional growth. Ukraine is still faced with daunting challenges with security and a high degree of corruption, however, the Zelensky government is working to address some of the major issues and has also worked out a plan to begin undergoing land reform this year. The creation of a private market for agricultural land through lifting the current moratorium on the sale of agricultural land will create vast opportunities for foreign agricultural investors. Ukraine needs foreign investment to develop the agricultural sector, acquire new technologies and farming strategies, improve infrastructure such as roads, and create jobs in rural regions. This thesis examines Ukraine's plan for land law reforms to evaluate the risks and benefits of the proposed strategy on foreign investment in the agricultural sector.

Ukraine Investment and Business Guide Volume 1 Strategic and Practical Information

Ukraine Investment and Business Guide - Strategic and Practical Information

Annotation The dissolution of the Soviet Union and the breakdown of all previously established production and trading practices has forced Ukraine to confront the demands imposed by a market-based economy. The food and agriculture sector is still in the early stages of the transition toward private ownership and market- based decisionmaking. The adjustment is difficult because of the country's long history of distorted prices, government intervention, and monopolistic marketing and because of the built-in inefficiencies of the collective and state farm systems. This report describes the current status of the food and agriculture system and the continuing process of transformation. It also provides an agenda and recommendations for maintaining the reform process. The main chapters highlight the development of a market framework and competitive strategies, land reform and privatization, and ways of improving farm production and efficiency. Also available in Ukrainian: (ISBN 0-8213-3475-1) Stock No. 13475.

The agri-food sector is an important part of the Ukrainian economy. Agriculture could make an even larger contribution to economic growth and the vitality of rural areas in Ukraine than is currently the case. Ukraine has the agro-climatic potential to be a major player on world agricultural markets. Agricultural competitiveness in Ukraine also suffers from inadequate systems to test and document food product quality and food safety. Ukraine's food safety control system is complicated and characterized by fragmented and often overlapping jurisdictions. Many standards applied in Ukraine are inconsistent with World Trade Organization (WTO) provisions, with standards established by the responsible international bodies and with accepted practices in international trade. Without improvements towards an efficient and internationally recognized food quality and safety control system, Ukrainian agriculture will find it increasingly difficult to sell into international markets and its products will not be able to command top prices. The ban on Ukrainian meat, eggs, fish, cheese, milk and butter imposed by Russia in mid-January 2006 provides an example of the disruptions that can result. This negative impact on competitiveness will be increasingly acute for more perishable products, higher-processed products and products that combine different agricultural raw materials - in other words many high-value added products. Policy reforms and investments could greatly increase the competitiveness of Ukrainian agriculture. In the policy sphere, greater restraint should be exercised in the area of trade, market and price policy. Ad hoc intervention on agricultural markets should be reduced. Accession to the WTO is an important and encouraging signal that policy makers are willing to adopt less intrusive and more stable trade, market and price policies. In the investment sphere, priorities include food safety monitoring and certification systems, trade infrastructure and logistic capacity, food chain management, technical advisory and market information systems, streamlined and transparent customs procedures, land markets, and research and education institutions.