Ukraine provides itself with fish only 10%.

In the last 5 years, the amounts of fish catch and farming in Ukraine have significantly decreased. Domestic producers currently provide only 10% of the national demand for fish, said Dmitry Zagumenniy, head of the Association of Fish Importers and Exporters.

Zagumenniy stated that currently about 90% of fish in the Ukrainian market is imported. The conflict and annexation of Crimea have significantly affected the fish catch by Ukrainian fishermen. Over the past 5 years, Ukraine has caught and farmed only 35 thousand tons of fish per year instead of 200 thousand tons. However, the market needs more than 360 thousand tons of fish per year, which makes Ukraine heavily dependent on imports.

'Ukrainians consume a thousand tons of fish a day. This is our consumption, even more. That is, more than 360 thousand tons a year. And we catch only 35. So we provide only a tenth of the demand that Ukraine has. Therefore, accordingly, everything is provided through imports' - explained Zagumenniy.

According to expert assessments, fish in Ukraine are bred in various ways depending on the region. For example, in the Carpathians, trout farming is popular, which is a favorite product for tourists and is supplied to local restaurants. In the central regions of the country, river fish species such as carp, silver carp, white amur, and pike perch are bred, but the total volumes do not satisfy the demand. According to Zagumenniy, Ukrainian fish farms are currently unable to meet market needs, and their products are often more expensive than imported equivalents.

'Currently, although there are enterprises, they do not meet the needs of all of Ukraine. It should be understood that, unfortunately, fish is becoming less every year due to objective reasons,' - he noted.

Zagumenniy emphasized that the main reasons for the crisis in the fishing industry are not only the loss of control over certain territories and access to the Sea of Azov but also the lack of state support and insufficient financial aid. State orders and access to affordable loans are needed to develop the Ukrainian fishing industry.