FAO and EU to Provide Up to $150,000 in Grants to Aggregators in Ukraine's Vegetable and Berry Sector

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the European Union, has announced the ongoing acceptance of applications from aggregators in the vegetable and berry sectors for grant support. This information was conveyed by the FAO representation in Ukraine, emphasizing the significance of this initiative for the development of the agricultural sector amidst contemporary challenges.

According to information published on the organization's official Facebook page, the grant program is designed for enterprises that actively facilitate the integration of small farmers into supply chains. This means that grants will be directed towards investments in infrastructure and equipment that will enhance the storage, processing, and delivery of products, as well as open new markets for small producers.

The grants offered under this program range from $26,000 (equivalent to 1.12 million UAH) to $150,000 (6.46 million UAH). Enterprises that are developing aggregation models around small producers in seven regions of Ukraine are eligible to participate: Volyn, Transcarpathia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Ternopil, Khmelnytskyi, and Chernivtsi.

The application process for grant funding is currently open in the State Agrarian Register (DAR) and will continue until April 17, 2026. This timeline provides many enterprises with the opportunity to prepare and submit their applications to receive financial support for the development of their business models.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy by the FAO and the EU aimed at building value chains in Ukraine's agricultural sector. It aims to support small and medium-sized farms that have faced significant difficulties during the war, providing them with the means to adapt to new market conditions and enhance their competitiveness.

In a context where Ukraine's agricultural sector is encountering numerous challenges, such as declining production volumes, logistical issues, and market access problems, support from international organizations like the FAO and the EU becomes critically important. This grant program could serve as a vital step in the recovery and development of Ukraine's agricultural economy, which, in turn, will contribute to ensuring food security in the country.