The German-Ukrainian Agri-Political Dialogue (APD Ukraine) has officially launched its seventh project phase with the signing of the project agreement on 17 January 2026 during the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) in Berlin, Germany. The agreement was co signed by the agriculture ministries of both countries. As a consortium partner, DLG Markets GmbH, a subsidiary of DLG (German Agricultural Society), is responsible for implementing the project and takes on key tasks in project management as well as technical and strategic communication on agricultural policy issues between the project teams, the German and Ukrainian partner institutions and the contracting authority. With its strong network capabilities and extensive technical and economic expertise in the Ukrainian agricultural sector, the company strengthens the operational delivery of the project.
The contracting organization is GFA Consulting Group GmbH, acting on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH).
Technical Priorities: EU Integration, CAP Alignment and Economic Cooperation
In the seventh project phase, the cooperation focuses in particular on aligning Ukrainian agricultural policy with EU standards and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), as well as on integrated rural development. In addition, bilateral economic cooperation in the agricultural and food sector will be further strengthened, in line with the German Federal Ministry’s agricultural export strategy. The APD Ukraine also implements a targeted technical and communication strategy to increase transparency, understanding and acceptance of the EU integration process.
“Successful EU integration requires not only reforms, but above all understanding and acceptance. With a clear communication strategy and DLG’s networks, we make complex processes transparent and strengthen trust among public authorities, businesses and civil society: in Ukraine as well as in the EU. “As a partner, we are pleased to support the development of economic cooperation between European and Ukrainian agri food actors,” says Dr. Olga Hunger, Key expert for economic cooperation and the EU agricultural market at DLG Markets GmbH.
“For delivering such a complex undertaking, close coordination between the project team in Ukraine, the German partner institutions and the contracting authority is essential. We ensure that technical quality, management processes and collaboration within the consortium work seamlessly together so that the APD Ukraine can fully unfold its impact in the EU integration process,” adds Frederik Tipp, responsible for project support at DLG Markets GmbH, providing expert guidance, management oversight and quality assurance for the project team.
DLG Markets Contributes International Market Expertise
The German Federal Ministry has commissioned GFA Consulting Group GmbH as the contracting authority for coordinating the APD Ukraine. The project is implemented by a consortium consisting of DLG Markets GmbH and Berlin Economics GmbH. Both organisations combine outstanding expertise in agricultural policy, EU integration and economic cooperation, and maintain long standing networks in Germany, Ukraine and at EU level. On the Ukrainian side, the beneficiary institution is the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, with the National Association of Agricultural Advisory Services “Dorada” acting as the operational project partner.
The project is led by Dr. Olga Trofimtseva, former Minister of Agriculture of Ukraine and an internationally recognised expert in agricultural policy and EU integration. Deputy Project Lead is Oleksandr Zhemoyda, an expert in rural development and institutional reform. The core team is complemented by Richard Moody as key expert for EU agricultural policy and EU integration, and Dr. Olga Hunger as key expert for economic cooperation. Backstopping responsibilities are held by Frederik Tipp, DLG Markets GmbH, and Michael von Stackelberg, Berlin Economics GmbH.
DLG Markets GmbH is the international business unit of the DLG. The company drives DLG’s global activities in trade fairs, international projects and agricultural sector consulting. With decades of experience and a worldwide expert network, DLG Markets develops and implements trade fair concepts, specialist events and cooperation projects that support innovation, market development and agricultural policy dialogue worldwide.
