BLACK SEA GRAIN.KYIV: Leadership in an Era of Change — Who Will Lead the Agricultural Sector Forward in the New Reality?

On April 24, Kyiv hosts a pivotal event for the agribusiness of Ukraine and the Black Sea region — the 23rd International Conference BLACK SEA GRAIN.KYIV, bringing together the leading community of the grain and oilseed market to discuss critical aspects of development in the new season, key changes and challenges in agricultural production, export, and logistics, as well as issues of processing, financing, and the recovery of Ukraine’s agricultural sector. The conference is organized by UkrAgroConsult.

Today, the business stands at a crossroads: on one hand, rising costs, unstable logistics, and increasingly fierce competition; on the other, a constant need for profitability. The 2025/26 season promises a challenging game — with high stakes and new rules. Who will win? The trader adept at navigating global fluctuations? The farmer balancing costs and quality? The processor adding value to the product? The logistician tackling unpredictability? Or perhaps the buyer, ultimately dictating the final terms? The key question on everyone’s mind: is this a momentary crisis or a long-term development trend? Temporary turbulence or a new landscape for agribusiness?

The conference speakers are those who know firsthand what it means to build a business in a storm. Their experience, strategies, and forecasts are not theoretical but grounded in practices that work in real conditions. This will be a conversation about survival, adaptation, and the courage to invest when others pause.

The event will feature intense discussions, timely forecasts, and strategic insights. Key topics include:

• Leadership in an era of change: who will lead in the new reality?
• Agricultural potential of the Black Sea and Danube region 2025/26: new opportunities and challenges
• Ukraine: sharp edges and zigzags in regulating agricultural exports 2024-2026
• Export storm: market dynamics, competition, and profitability of grains and oilseeds
• Development of processing in Ukraine: investment opportunities and strategies
• Digital transformation of agribusiness: trends reshaping the rules of the game

The current 2024/25 season can be considered relatively successful for many Ukrainian grain producers. Over the season, prices for major grain crops have risen by nearly one and a half times, enabling better profitability compared to the previous season. Corn prices, in particular, have seen significant increases. This margin will be the main driver for expanding corn acreage for the upcoming harvest. UkrAgroConsult expects a 4-5% increase in corn acreage compared to the previous season.

The primary competition for spring crop areas will traditionally unfold between corn and sunflower. According to UkrAgroConsult, sunflower acreage is also expected to grow year-on-year, as demand for sunflower seeds has been exceptionally high this season, with peak prices nearly 60% higher than starting prices. The opposite is true for soybeans, where a record harvest in Ukraine and globally has prevented profitability, reducing its appeal.

If weather and conflict do not interfere, the 2025 grain and oilseed harvest could exceed last year’s by 5-10%, which would, in turn, boost export potential. Considering a 20-35% increase in forward prices for the new harvest compared to last year, export revenues could rise significantly in the upcoming season. This will support not only the agricultural sector but also Ukraine’s economy as a whole.

However, military risks faced by both farmers and exporters at ports must not be overlooked. The operation of the maritime corridor is crucial for stable agricultural exports.

Among the 30 speakers at the event are representatives from NIBULON, Kernel, Epicentr K, Agroprosperis Trade, OTP Bank, IFC, AB InBev Efes Ukraine, Harveles, FRENDT, TEUS, Ukrzaliznytsia, UGA, INTELEVRAZ, VITAGRO, and others.

Sponsors and Partners of the conference: General Sponsor — Abbey Commodities DMCC; Sponsors — AmSpec, QSS Global, TEUS; Partners — AB InBev Efes Ukraine, Agronizer.

The conference is supported by: the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, Ukrainian Grain Association, Ukroliyaprom Association, Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation, Donau Soja Association, and GAFTA.

Organizer of the conference — UkrAgroConsult:
uac-info@ukragroconsult.org
+380 (44) 364 55 85
+380 (50) 786 13 10 – WhatsApp / Telegram / Viber