On January 26, the first FOODAGRO MEETUP took place in Dubai — a professional business meeting that brought together Ukrainian agricultural producers and international partners. Special attention during the event was paid to market analytics and sales prospects amid global oversupply, reports ProAgro Group.

According to Gaurav Jain, CEO of AgPulse Analytica (Singapore), the main challenge for Ukraine in the current season is market access rather than production.

“Ukraine harvested a record pea crop of around 675 thousand tons this year, with total market supply approaching 700 thousand tons. At the same time, Europe also recorded a strong harvest, and for the first time in recent years its production exceeded domestic consumption. As a result, the question of sales markets for Ukraine remains open,” the analyst explained.

Against this backdrop, Jain identified the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region as one of the most stable and promising destinations for Ukrainian pulse exports.

According to his estimates, countries in the region — including Egypt, Iraq, and the UAE — consume 1.2–1.5 million tons of pulses annually, and this level of demand has remained largely unchanged over the past decade. A particularly important role is played by the United Arab Emirates, which is increasingly evolving not only into an importer but also into a logistics and trading hub for the global pulses market.

At the same time, Jain pointed out that the global pulses market is currently facing oversupply, with stocks estimated at around 4 million tons, putting pressure on prices. However, this situation also creates opportunities for importers and strengthens the role of regions such as MENA in global pulses trade.

As previously reported, during 2025 Ukraine significantly expanded the geography of its agricultural exports, opening 19 new markets for products of animal and plant origin. In particular, Ukrainian exporters obtained access to the Chinese market for peas.

Source: UPSA