OREANDA-NEWS. February 16, 2011. Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Mykola Prysyazhnyuk convinced that to ensure stable and affordable food prices it is necessary to stimulate the development of agricultural sector and to create conditions to support domestic manufacturers. He stated that during one of the TV broadcast.

According to the Minister, the practice of purchasing foreign goods to reduce food prices is inefficient because it prevents the development of domestic manufacturers. At the same time, support for domestic manufacturers of agricultural products gives not only impetus to the development of agricultural sector, but also contributes to the reduction in consumer food prices.

"At present, foreign intervention in agricultural products is not correct. Last year we managed to abstain and not to intervene in sugar. Today, the area of sugar beet crops is growing and will continue to grow. The same will be with buckwheat, because the price today is attractive to farmers. Therefore, the support for domestic manufacturers is the key to affordable products prices", Mykola Prysiazhniuk emphasized.

At the same time, following the opinion of the Minister, for the effective use of resources of the agricultural sector and improvement of food supply and prices of food it is necessary to develop the agro industrial infrastructure that would let you use the export potential of agriculture and store surplus products produced by domestic agriculture. The Head of Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food reminded that Ukraine provides provides itself completely with all agricultural products except meat and some exotic fruits. Mykola Prysiazhnyuk stressed that in general in Ukraine about three times more food is produced, than is consumed by the population.

The Minister stressed that to preserve and effectively implement the food surpluses that exceed the level of consumption of the Ukrainian market, it is necessary to work on the issues to improve logistics in agriculture sector. "We grew last year 16.8-17 million tons of potatoes, and food needs to consume are 6 million. Apparently, 12 million tons of potatoes are ineffectively fed to livestock or are rotted. What do we have to do to rectify the situation? We have to do this – to build vegetable stores. Logistics and coordination between regions is required. Second question. We grow today 8.5 million tons of vegetables and fruits. Our customers receive 4 million tons. Why? It rots without vegetable stores, products is not collected and logistics between manufacturer and consumer is not set", Mykola Prysiazhniuk said.

"Agricultural sector of Ukraine today produces three times more of agricultural products than people can consume it. For the realization of surplus production, we need to go to foreign markets", the Minister said.