Ukrainian-made cheese will have good prospects on the European Union's market after a free trade zone agreement is signed, the Ukrainian government's envoy for European integration Valeriy Piatnytsky said in televised remarks on Monday evening.
"Ukrainian producers have already achieved a certain level in terms of both the quality and safety of their products. They played a proactive role in our negotiations with the European Union, and we have an agreement with the EU regarding a zero export duty on cheese. It means that we will be able to export cheese unhindered, without any restrictions, if it meets European quality standards. That is why we can only with our manufacturers persistence in raising the quality of their goods and improving their production. In my opinion, we will find our own place on the EU market," he said.
"You know, any market, whether it be the cheese market or any other market, sees quite severe competition. Understandably, Russian businesses working in this sector are growing one way or the other. They are enlarging their production capacities and they need a certain market space," Piatnytsky said after being asked why the Russian consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor was highly critical of the quality of Ukrainian cheese and planned to ban imports of cheese made by a number of Ukrainian companies.
"It seems to me that we have excellent prospects today, even despite problems on the Russian market. But the European market is also difficult. Competition there is very strong, but consumption volumes are also different. On the other hand, it also sends a signal to our consumers that they should expect the highest quality of our products, and we will consume the best cheese," he said.
