Ukrainian farmers urge the EU to отказаться from additional soybean certification

Ukrainian soybean producers have expressed deep concern over the European Commission’s proposal to classify soybeans as a feedstock with a high risk of indirect land-use change (high ILUC-risk) under the European Union Renewable Energy Directive (RED).

If adopted, this proposal would have a significant negative impact on Ukraine’s agricultural sector, the European plant protein market, as well as the broader strategic food security of the European Union. The Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB) has submitted a document to EU institutions explaining the implications of the proposed amendments to Regulation (EU) 2019/807. In particular, it notes that the proposal would introduce additional certification requirements for compliance with low ILUC-risk criteria (low-ILUC), effectively placing a substantial additional administrative and financial burden on producers and processors, especially under wartime conditions, logistical disruptions, and rising production costs.

According to UCAB, Ukrainian soybeans already comply with high standards of traceability and sustainability. Ukraine is officially recognized as a low-risk country under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), meaning that introducing an additional high ILUC-risk classification would effectively duplicate existing regulatory requirements and create unjustified barriers for Ukrainian agricultural producers.

The association emphasizes that Ukraine remains the largest soybean producer in Europe. In 2025, soybean production in Ukraine is expected to reach 5.6–5.7 million tonnes, while Ukrainian soybean products continue to play an important role in ensuring the protein and food security of the European Union. In 2025, Ukraine’s share in EU soybean oil imports increased to 66%, while 43% of Ukrainian soybean oil exports were directed to the EU market.

Ukrainian soybeans are not only an important component of the European plant protein market but also a strategic alternative to imports from regions associated with higher environmental risks. Ukrainian soybean products are non-GMO, fully traceable, and produced without risks related to deforestation.

At the same time, experts believe that the proposed approach contradicts several key strategic objectives of the European Union, including:

• strengthening the EU’s food and protein autonomy;
• the future EU Protein Plan;
• supporting regional production of plant-based proteins;
• the goal of simplifying and harmonizing regulatory procedures.

The Ukrainian agricultural sector calls on the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union not to support the draft delegated act in its current form during the official scrutiny period.

“As a candidate country for EU membership, Ukraine should be considered a European supplier of soybeans in any future EU regulatory initiatives related to the status of soybean vegetable oil as a feedstock for sustainable biofuels under the Renewable Energy Directive,” UCAB concluded.

Tags: soybean, Ukraine, EU