On November 27, 2025, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union approved an agreement with significant implications for agri-food trade, especially in the meat sector. The measure contemplates the gradual reduction or elimination of tariffs on a wide range of products from Ukraine, including meat and meat products, dairy products, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
This decision is part of the review of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), through which the EU and Ukraine seek to move toward a more stable, predictable, and reciprocal trade system, adapted to the country’s accession to the European Union.
Conditions and Safeguards for the European Market
Although the agreement’s objective is to promote Ukraine’s economic recovery and strengthen its trade ties with the EU, control mechanisms have been incorporated to protect the most sensitive sectors of the European market:
Progressive Adaptation: Access for Ukrainian products will be conditional on their alignment with EU production standards, especially in key areas such as animal welfare, pesticide use, and veterinary medicines.
Safeguard Clauses: Either party may activate a protection mechanism if trade liberalization causes significant market distortions or harm.
Gradual Liberalization by Product Type
The agreement differentiates between products according to their economic sensitivity. In the case of poultry and eggs, market access will be limited and phased, while for products considered less sensitive, such as milk and dairy products, broader liberalization is envisaged.
The position adopted by the Council must soon be validated by the EU-Ukraine Association Committee, which will mark the end of the Autonomous Trade Measures regime temporarily implemented following the Russian invasion.
