Ukraine’s soybean market: smaller crop, higher crushing and new market rules

Article author:

Svitlana Kupreeva

Oilseed Market Analyst

In 2025/26 MY, Ukraine’s soybean market shifted from raw bean exports toward domestic crushing. A smaller crop and the 10% export duty almost halved soybean exports, while crushing reached a record high. This supported exports of processed products, particularly soybean meal.

The EU became the key destination for Ukrainian soybeans, soybean oil and meal. This concentration reduces dependence on long-distance maritime logistics but increases exposure to European demand, border infrastructure and regulatory compliance requirements.

MY 2026/27. Soybean area continues to decline, while recovering yields will only partially offset the reduction. The export duty remains a key factor in crop distribution: keeping it would support domestic crushers, while its removal could strengthen export demand for beans. New GMO regulations and preparations for EU traceability requirements are becoming additional factors shaping the market.

Ukraine’s soybean market is becoming more focused on domestic crushing, but declining acreage indicates weaker competitiveness of the crop for farmers. In the new season, the balance between exports and crushing will be determined by regulatory decisions, logistics and access to the European market.

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Tags: logistics, oilseed crushing, Ukraine, soybean oil, prices, soybean, soybean meal, crop