«Ukrainian sugar industry has a huge potential, we can compete with global players. At present, 8-9 tonnes of sugar per hectare is the normal real result for Ukraine. But, we need more high-quality refineries and better equipment to get achievements not worse than the world», — said Vasyl Kharchenko, the operational director of «Kraevid» LLC.

The representative of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Mykola Moroz supported his opinion, noting that from March 20, 2018, the mandatory observance of HACCP principles will come into force for sugar refineries. In addition, Mr. Moroz added that the regulatory system should be changed by 2022, in particular the system of voluntary standards would replace normative documents.

«Many refineries will have to undergo reequipment to meet the requirements», — he concluded.

In addition, the effective sugar beet cultivation is of great importance, which makes it possible to increase sugar recovery and sugar content. It was repeatedly reminded during the «Sugar beet production technologies» section. In particular, commercial director of Betaseed in Central and Eastern Europe Oleksandr Grazhdankin noted that nowadays there are successful European and American
sugar beet growth models, so Ukrainian producers can choose the best of them:

«Today we have discussed individual application points of production in the European and American markets, so Ukrainian farmers can compare and choose the most suitable growth model for adaptation. If people start using such technologies, it will be an indisputable plus, because the potential of seeds of our genetics is not exhausted and, therefore, it is very annoying when agrarians with good genetics and seeds receive an average yield of 440-450 centners/ha in Ukraine. Our task is to make the best use of this potential».

Production modernization and improvement in sugar beet quality will help Ukrainian sugar producers compete in the global market by producing the best quality products, because in the future beet sugar exports will continue to grow, about which the head of «Sucden» analytical service has stated. She says that 15% growth expected despite the fact that global production has significantly "shrinked".

In conditions of surplus and unfavorable prices, it is important to have additional sources of income. «Diversification of sugar refineries activities» section was devoted to this issue, where the participants discussed the prospects of biofuel production, which could significantly reduce energy costs.

«In Ukraine about 11% of biomass is used for bioenergy production. As for the sugar beet pulp, it is only 4% of the potential», — commented Oleksandr Nikolayenko, the head of the department for investments attraction in sustainable development, EBRD.

He emphasizes that European Bank for Reconstruction and Development not only permits producers to attract grants for the introduction of bioenergy production technologies, but also provides support to the government for the legislative framework improving.

Ukrainian sugar industry is a self-sufficient sector, which only last year paid 3,1 billion UAH of taxes. Andriy Dykun, the head of «Ukrsugar», emphasized it, noting that the industry provided work for 85 thousand people, and last year sugar production amounted to 2,1 million tonnes.

General Director of «Agrocenter EuroChem Ukraine» Andriy Prykhodko supported the opinion of the head of Association, noting that such events as Sugar World 2018 are the effective platform for cooperation of all market players:

«This is a large-scale event that brings together the target audience interested in working together. It is extremely enjoyable that people, even speaking in different languages, understand each other. We are on the same platform», — summed up Prykhodko.