The first half of the 2025/26 marketing year became a turning point for the rapeseed market and its processing products. The introduction of a 10% export duty on rapeseed triggered a structural shift in crop utilization — from exporting raw materials to expanding domestic processing, reports ProAgro Group.

Despite subsequent adjustments to the duty-free export mechanism for agricultural producers, rapeseed seed exports remain at their lowest levels in several years, confirming the depth of the market transformation.

Rapeseed exports declined sharply in the first half of the season, while processing volumes continue to grow steadily and are already shaping up to be record-high. Processed products are increasingly defining the export profile of the market. Sales geography is becoming more concentrated on EU countries, while the role of other destinations is diminishing.

In the second half of the season, competition between exports and processing for additional raw material volumes is expected to persist. Looking ahead to the 2026/27 marketing year, key factors will include the condition of winter rapeseed after winter dormancy — particularly in southern regions — as well as the ongoing impact of the export duty. Against the backdrop of changing global market conditions and weakened positions of certain competitors, Ukraine has an opportunity to strengthen its presence on the EU rapeseed meal market.

As previously reported, in December 2025 the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted a resolution introducing a new export control procedure for soybeans and rapeseed, aimed at ensuring fair application of export-duty exemptions for farmers who grow the crops themselves.

Source: UkrAgroConsult