Delays in shipments of Brazilian soybeans forced Turkey and Egypt to turn to Ukraine to fill the deficit

According to the Brazilian agricultural company Ouro Safra, the harvesting campaign was delayed in the key producing regions, including São Paulo, Paraná, Minas Gerais and Goiás, which are the main suppliers for the ports of Santos Terminal Station and Paranaguá Grain Terminal. As a result, vessels waited longer to load, although the original schedules called for early deliveries.

“These delays have disrupted supplies to key importers, forcing Turkey and Egypt to turn to Ukraine to fill the shortfall,” the report said.

According to the customs data, the export of Ukrainian soybeans to Turkey in February increased to 118 thousand tons against 60 thousand tons in January. Supplies to Egypt increased to 81 thousand tons, compared to 42 thousand tons in the previous month. The Netherlands also increased purchases of Ukrainian soybeans – in February, it imported about 32 thousand tons, compared to less than 1 thousand tons in January.

As weather conditions in Brazil improve, harvesting rates increase, and exports from Brazilian ports pick up, it is expected to increase competition for Ukrainian soybeans in Turkey and Egypt starting in March.

At the same time, European demand for Ukrainian soybeans may increase. If Donald Trump announces the introduction of import duties to the EU, European buyers will focus even more on Brazil and Ukraine to secure supplies. The EU is the largest buyer of Ukrainian soybeans, accounting for about 44% (1 mln tons) of Ukraine’s exports in the period from September 2024 to February 2025.

In the first half of the 2024/25 season, Ukraine exported 2.35 mln tonnes of soybeans, leaving about 900 thsd tonnes available for export by the end of the season.

Tags: Brazil, soybean, Ukraine, Egypt, Turkey