Plant protein processing offers promising opportunities for Ukraine-EU cooperation

Ukraine has strong prospects for European integration in the processing of high-protein plant-based raw materials, as the European Union imports two-thirds of its requirements in this segment.

This is stated in a study by Oksana Osmachko, Strategic Expert on Agribusiness and Biodiversity at Ukraine Facility Platform.

She noted that Europe needs plant proteins primarily for animal feed. Around 70% of protein derived from cereals, oilseeds and pulses in the EU is used for animal nutrition. The bloc produces approximately 152 mln t of compound feed, with the largest segments being poultry feed at 51.6 mln t, pig feed at 48.5 mln t and cattle feed at 45.4 mln t.

“A separate segment is specialized feed that uses more highly processed products. For example, soy protein concentrate has a higher protein concentration and lower levels of antinutritional components compared with standard soybean meal. Ukrainian producers could expand deep soybean processing to meet EU demand in this segment while obtaining a higher price per tonne of product,” the researcher believes.

In the food industry, plant proteins are used as functional ingredients to increase protein content, improve texture and produce plant-based and hybrid food products, as well as beverages. They are particularly important for vegan and vegetarian diets.

Meanwhile, in the 2025/26 MY, the EU produced 67 mln t of plant protein, including approximately 31 mln t from roughage and around 29 mln t from cereals with low and medium protein content. Protein production from high-protein crops amounted to only 7.2 mln t.

As a result, the European Union remains structurally dependent on imports in the high-protein segment. According to the European Commission, the bloc imports around two-thirds of its high-protein raw material requirements. Dependence is particularly high for soybeans, with 94% of soy protein imported.

At the same time, Ukraine is already a major producer and exporter of plant protein. According to European Commission estimates, the country produces around 13.5 mln t of plant protein, with 60% of this volume exported.

“For Ukraine, developing soybean, pea and sunflower processing creates opportunities to increase domestic value added, diversify agricultural exports and raise export value per tonne of product,” Oksana Osmachko concluded.

Tags: Ukraine, EU, soybean, sunseed, compound feed, pea