After a period of rapid expansion in soybean planting areas since 2022, Ukrainian agricultural producers have reduced their interest in the crop in the 2025/26 marketing year. The key factor behind this shift was low soybean prices in the previous season, ProAgro Group reports.

The new season began under a 10% export duty on soybeans. Following its introduction, most of the crop was redirected to domestic processing, while export shipments dropped to minimal levels. Over time, the situation gradually stabilized as export procedures for preferential categories of producers were clarified, allowing foreign sales to partially recover.

Despite this, monthly soybean export volumes in the 2025/26 MY remain below last year’s levels. At the same time, December marked the strongest month since the start of the season, with exports reaching around 350 thousand tonnes — nearly matching last year’s figures.

Overall, soybean exports are expected to decline by about 37% by the end of the season. The key trend of the current marketing year has been a shift away from raw soybean exports toward value-added products, primarily soybean oil and meal.

The coming months may prove decisive for the market. If soybean exports continue to grow, supply and demand balances could be revised in favor of higher raw material exports. However, the situation will largely depend on logistics and the stable operation of ports, which have recently been regularly targeted by Russian attacks.

Earlier reports said that Ukraine exported 237 thousand tonnes of soybeans in December 2025, while Ukrainian soybeans continue to enjoy strong demand in the EU and Middle Eastern markets.

Source: UkrAgroConsult