About 100 participants attended the event on exports to Norway and Ukraine’s participation in SIAL 2026
On October 1, 2026, an online event was held to discuss opportunities for Ukrainian berries, nuts, and other agri-food products to enter the Norwegian market, as well as the participation of Ukrainian exporters and business support organizations in the SIAL 2026 international trade show. The event was attended by 100 participants from nearly all regions of Ukraine—including representatives of producers, processing companies, exporters, business support organizations, service providers, public sector organizations, international technical assistance programs, and others.
The meeting focused on practical issues important to Ukrainian companies planning to expand their export markets and seek new international partners. Particular attention was paid to producers and processors of berries, nuts, high-value-added products, and other agri-food products with export potential (including those with organic certification).
Exporting to Norway: From Company Readiness to Finding Partners
During the main session, participants examined the key characteristics of the Norwegian market and opportunities for Ukrainian agri-food products.
Specifically, the discussion focused on:
– opportunities for Ukrainian exporters to enter the Norwegian market;
– assessing the export readiness of companies and their products;
– identifying potential partners and sales channels;
– consumer trends and expectations of Norwegian buyers;
– characteristics of Norwegian business culture;
– adapting product positioning to market requirements and specifics;
– the current state of trade between Ukraine and Norway;
– The Free Trade Agreement between Ukraine and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states and related certification aspects;
– Specialized trade fairs and industry events as a channel for entering new markets.
The expert segment of this session was presented by Andreas L. Tranoi, Senior Advisor on Seafood and Agriculture at the Norwegian-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce (NUCC). Participants also learned about the activities of the Norwegian-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, which were presented by Natalia Babanina, director of the NUCC representative office in Ukraine.
Ukrainian Companies at SIAL 2026
A separate segment of the event was dedicated to Ukraine’s participation in the SIAL 2026 international trade show—one of the key platforms for showcasing products, finding international partners, and developing B2B contacts. Ukraine will be represented by six national/collective booths and approximately 30 individual booths.
Participants were briefed on opportunities for Ukrainian exporters, including Ukraine’s national and collective booths, individual participation by Ukrainian companies, related business events, partner searches, and networking opportunities.
Iryna Vasylenko, Acting Deputy Director of the State Agency “Office for Entrepreneurship and Export Development,” spoke about Ukraine’s opportunities for participation in SIAL 2026.
A Practical Format and Open Dialogue
The question-and-answer sessions were a key component of the event. Participants had the opportunity to discuss practical issues related to entering the Norwegian market, product requirements, finding partners, certification, and participating in international trade shows, including SIAL. Exporters were also interested in the opportunity to participate in the SIAL Innovation competition, as it provides them with an additional chance to make a name for themselves in the international market and receive feedback on their products.
The event served as a platform for exchanging up-to-date information and practical recommendations that can be useful to Ukrainian companies as they prepare for export and develop international cooperation.
Summary
Norway is a major import-dependent market for berries and nuts. In 2025, it imported selected categories of fresh and frozen berries, walnuts, and hazelnuts worth approximately $218.8 million. At the same time, direct imports from Ukraine amounted to only about $0.8 million, indicating significant untapped potential for Ukrainian producers. Ukraine’s strongest position in the Norwegian market is in frozen berries under HS code 081120 (frozen raspberries, blackberries, mulberries, loganberries, black, white, and red currants, and gooseberries). Fresh berries represent a large segment with seasonal opportunities. In the nut segment, the walnut category is the most prominent for Ukraine. The modernized Ukraine–EFTA Agreement creates additional opportunities for Ukraine, but tariffs depend on the product. Organic, wild-grown, and value-added products offer Ukraine an opportunity to compete not only on price but also on origin, quality, certification, and specialization.
Ukraine will be strongly represented at the SIAL 2026 international exhibition with a wide range of products—berries, nuts, dairy products, fruits, juices, spreads, baked goods, ice cream, and more.
Event Materials:
- Event Program
- Presentation by the Norwegian-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce
- Information on the export of berries and nuts from Ukraine to Norway (key indicators, promising categories, and market entry channels)
- Fact Sheet on Berries and Nuts Exports to Norway 2025
- Ukraine at the SIAL 2026 International Trade Show
- Video recording: English and Ukrainian.
The event is organized by the Norwegian-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce (NUCC) in collaboration with the State Agency “Office for Entrepreneurship and Export Development” with support from Switzerland as part of the Global Quality and Standards Program in Ukraine (GQSP), implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
Information partners: Organic Initiative Public Association, U-Food Association, Ukrainian Berries Association, Public Union “Association of Gardeners, Grape Growers and Winemakers of Ukraine” (Ukrsadvinprom), Association “Ukrainian Blueberry Growers”, All-Ukrainian Public Organisation “Ukrainian Nut Association”, Organic Standard certification body. and magazine “Yagidnyk”.
