(KYIV, UKRAINE) – Ukraine expects to open the Japanese market to its poultry products in the near future as both countries continue to strengthen agricultural trade and investment links. The planned market opening would give Ukrainian producers access to one of Asia’s most valuable food import markets while supporting the country’s export growth.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food announced the progress following a meeting between Acting Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Taras Vysotskyi, Deputy Minister Denys Bashlyk and Japan’s Ambassador to Ukraine, Masashi Nakagome.
According to the ministry, one of the main topics discussed was the approval process for Ukrainian poultry exports to Japan. A final online audit of Ukrainian production facilities is scheduled to take place before the end of August 2026. The inspection will be one of the final stages required before Japanese authorities can approve imports of Ukrainian poultry products.
The ministry said successful completion of the audit would move Ukraine closer to gaining access to the Japanese market, creating new opportunities for food producers and increasing export revenues.
The two sides also discussed wider trade and economic cooperation between the countries. A business mission involving Japanese companies is planned for Ukraine in October 2026, with the aim of identifying new investment opportunities and expanding commercial partnerships across the agricultural sector.
Ukraine also expressed appreciation for Japan’s continuing support for the country’s agricultural recovery. According to the ministry, Japan has provided assistance to improve grain storage capacity, concessional financing and soil restoration programmes, helping to strengthen the resilience of Ukraine’s farming industry during the continuing war.
The ministry said Japan remains an important strategic partner in supporting both Ukraine’s national food security and global food supplies through practical cooperation and investment.
Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, continues to provide technical assistance for the recovery of Ukraine’s agricultural sector. The agency is supplying specialised equipment for analysing and restoring farmland damaged by the conflict.
JICA is also implementing a project to support small scale horticulture for women farmers, military veterans and internally displaced people across five regions of Ukraine. The programme is intended to help restore agricultural production, generate rural incomes and improve local food security.
Separately, Ukrainian officials and representatives of JICA have discussed creating a national network of laboratories and scientific institutions to assess soil quality following land mine clearance and land restoration. The cooperation also includes a pilot project in the Kharkiv region aimed at restoring agricultural land for productive use.
The planned opening of the Japanese market for Ukrainian poultry products would represent another step in Ukraine’s efforts to diversify export destinations, strengthen trade with Asian economies and increase foreign currency earnings from agricultural exports, one of the country’s most important industries.