Ukraine is among the top three suppliers of organic protein crops to the European Union, accounting for 17.9% of total EU imports in the category of oilseeds and protein crops, said Ksenia Huliieva, an expert from the Export Services Department of the Organic Initiative Union, during the online conference “Vision for Organic Product Exports from Ukraine in 2026”, ProAgro Group reports.

According to her, beans and soy account for 38% of Ukraine’s organic exports to the EU. However, analysts note that exporters remain heavily focused on soybeans, while demand for chickpeas, lentils, and peas is growing faster than supply.

“During a business mission to the Netherlands, we received requests for niche legumes. And it’s not just about feed soy. Producers are currently more focused on exporting soy used for feed, which accounts for about 90% of shipments. However, attention should shift toward the food segment, where European buyers are active,” Huliieva explained.

The food segment requires not only organic certification but also strict quality parameters, including product uniformity and consistency.

According to the expert, Ukrainian producers still face difficulties in meeting all these requirements, which weakens the country’s presence in the food-grade organic segment.

She emphasized that diversification of production is necessary, including expanding the cultivation of various legumes, since competition in the organic market is becoming increasingly intense.

Earlier it was reported that Ukraine’s soybean exports may decline by about 37% in the 2025/26 marketing year compared with the previous season. A key trend is the shift from exporting raw soybeans to supplying processed products such as soybean oil and soybean meal.

Source: AgroPortal