Investors out to make dough from Europe’s breadbasket

Blessed with some of the continent’s most fertile land, Ukraine is of enormous interest to agribusiness. A handful of local and international firms think they have spotted an opportunity. The private sector will be vital to the country fulfilling its potential. Valentina Zarya reports.

“IT’S REALLY VERY simple,” Vladyslav Lugovskiy explains over dinner in Stary Mlyn, a restaurant museum in the small city of Ternopil, Ukraine. “You take a seed, you put it in the ground, you give it some sun and some water and you hope it will grow.”

Seated in a hand-carved chair and surrounded by pre-Soviet peasant décor, it is easy to forget that it is 2011 and that Lugovskiy is the COO of Mriya Agro Holding, one of the largest agricultural holding corporations in western Ukraine.

Access intelligence that drives action

To unlock this research, enter your email to log in or enquire about access