{"id":35259,"date":"2026-03-31T18:03:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T15:03:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clusters.org.ua\/?p=35259"},"modified":"2026-03-31T18:03:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T15:03:20","slug":"developing-export-value-chains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clusters.org.ua\/en\/news-en\/developing-export-value-chains\/","title":{"rendered":"Agro-Food Cluster Ukrainian Food Association (U-Food). Developing Export Value Chains through Collective Marketing and Consulting (U-Food 2Chains)"},"content":{"rendered":"

How did more than 100 Ukrainian agricultural producers break into global markets and sign 803 export contracts during wartime? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer from the U-Food Association in Cherkasy region: by \u043e\u0431\u044a\u0435\u0434\u0438\u043ding into product value chains and acting under a single national brand. Through the \u201cU-Food 2Chains\u201d mechanism, comprehensive consulting on EU standards, and impactful participation in over 50 international exhibitions (such as Gr\u00fcne Woche<\/em>), the cluster reduced SMEs\u2019 marketing costs and turned competitors into reliable partners. Cooperation became not just a strategy, but a condition for survival and growth in Ukraine\u2019s agri-food sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cToday, the Ukrainian flag at international exhibitions is a sign of quality and resilience. But to turn buyers\u2019 interest into real contracts, local producers must consolidate. Collective stands, joint export batches, and unified quality standards are the only way for Ukrainian SMEs to conquer global markets,\u201d <\/em>\u2014 Bohdan Serhiiovych Shapoval, CEO of the Ukrainian Food Association.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Practice Passport<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Practice Title<\/strong><\/td>Development of export value chains through collective marketing and consulting (U-Food 2Chains)<\/td><\/tr>
Cluster \/ Source Organization<\/strong><\/td>Agro-food cluster Ukrainian Food Association (U-Food)<\/td><\/tr>
Region<\/strong><\/td>Cherkasy region (with scaling to the national level)<\/td><\/tr>
Implementation Period<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>Ongoing (since 2020; active phase 2022\u20132025+)<\/td><\/tr>
Cluster Maturity Level<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>Cluster initiative<\/td><\/tr>
Number of participants<\/strong><\/td>137, including 115 SMEs<\/td><\/tr>
Thematic Areas<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>Value chain development, SME services, joint marketing, wartime adaptation<\/td><\/tr>
Target Audience<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>Large agro-food and manufacturing clusters uniting many small producers of similar products; a solution to overcome limited export volumes and high marketing costs<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Context and Problem Addressed by the Practice<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ukrainian small and medium-sized food producers often have excellent products but face a \u201cglass ceiling\u201d when attempting to export independently. Barriers include complex EU certification requirements, lack of international marketing expertise, high exhibition costs (tens of thousands of euros per stand), and the inability of a single SME to ensure stable large-volume supply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before the practice, export attempts were isolated and often unsuccessful. Producers in Cherkasy region viewed each other as competitors, preventing cooperation even for basic consolidated shipments. The 2022 war turned these challenges into a survival crisis: traditional logistics routes collapsed and domestic demand dropped sharply. The choice became clear \u2014 either export collectively or shut down businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Description of the Practice Mechanism (\u201cWhat\u2019s Under the Hood\u201d)<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

U-Food implemented an ecosystem approach where individual interests are aligned with group success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key elements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n