SOBY on Ukraine as an export market: There's a need for foreign exports

20 August 2024 | SØBY

• Knowledge and service

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SOBY participated as a speaker at the Ukraine Investment Forum in Copenhagen. The topic was the challenges companies face while working in Ukraine - as well as the cooperation between Danish companies and partners in the efforts to rebuild and develop the country. Sales Director Jan Lund gave a presentation on SØBY's presence in Ukraine and the ever-growing need for activity from foreign export companies.

There is a need for business activity

With 600,000 km2, Ukraine is a huge agricultural country and in 2020, SOBY saw a potential which turned out to live up to expectations. Like all export companies, conditions changed when the war in Ukraine broke out. But Jan Lund emphasizes that the country's need to preserve harvested crops did not change much for that reason. He says that although the development in 2024 looks uncertain, the company has only experienced growth on the Ukrainian market.

Transport and logistics can be a challenge

"There is a daily life that goes on, despite the tragedy they have suffered. There are over 30 million mouths to feed, as well as countries primarily in Africa that depend on Ukraine's grain and therefore still a great need to handle and store harvested crops so nothing goes to waste. But as an export company, we are obviously faced with some unfamiliar challenges. We have a responsibility to our Danish employees who are sent to Ukraine and to our Ukrainian partners who do business with us. We are primarily experiencing challenges regarding transport and logistics due to changed access conditions, but no personal danger", he explains.

New export companies must familiarize themselves with local conditions

Jan Lund goes on to elaborate that as a new export company on the Ukrainian market you must familiarize yourself with factors that may apply in the specific area you are considering to enter. He emphasizes that although there may be unrest around Ukraine, it's a market with great potential, which also needs the activity that a foreign business effort brings.

About Ukraine Investment Forum

The Ukraine Investment Forum is an initiative under the Danish government's Ukraine Fund, which included speeches from ministers, ambassadors and industry associations, panel debates between ministers and companies, and presentations on Danish funding sources for projects in Ukraine.

The main focus of the forum was on the challenges companies and foundations face while working in Ukraine. In addition, the focus was on market opportunities in Ukraine, and giving companies the opportunity to network, develop partnerships and share experiences in connection with doing business in the defense industry, water, energy and agriculture.