Ukraine’s oilseed sector is reporting substantial export revenue increases through diversification into soybean and rapeseed processing, offsetting a reduced sunflower harvest and maintaining crucial supply flows to European markets. Industry figures show rapeseed oil exports are projected to reach 576,000 tonnes for the 2025-2026 marketing year, representing a 170% surge in currency earnings from July to February alone.
Rapeseed oil finds strong uptake in key northern EU markets
The dramatic expansion in rapeseed oil shipments is primarily strengthening markets in the Netherlands, Germany, and Slovakia. These three nations account for 39.29%, 21.44%, and 13.13% of Ukraine’s total rapeseed oil exports respectively, indicating where the additional volume is being absorbed for industrial processing and consumption. The physical export volume grew by 120% in the first eight months of the current marketing year, according to industry data.
Sunflower oil exports retain major Mediterranean buyers despite smaller crop
Even with an anticipated 6.4% contraction in sunflower oil exports to 4.4 million tonnes, Ukraine maintains its role as a major supplier for parts of the European Union. Spain and Italy remain principal purchasers, having bought 12.88% and 12.18% of Ukraine’s sunflower oil exports in the first half of the last marketing year, worth $356.9 million and $337.5 million respectively. Higher global commodity prices are supporting revenue despite the slight reduction in physical volume.
Soybean complex gains traction with Poland as a strategic partner
Poland has concentrated 63.97% of Ukraine’s soybean oil exports, valued at $188.7 million, while also mitigating a domestic rapeseed deficit estimated at a minimum of 500,000 tonnes through Ukrainian imports. The soybean sector is strengthening across the board; revenue from soybean oil exports rose by 19.3% between September and February, while revenue from soybean meal increased by 21% on a 38% jump in physical shipments.
Diversified processing base insulates industry from sunflower shortfall
The expansion in processing soybeans and rapeseed is cushioning the impact of the lowest sunflower seed harvest in a decade and reduced planting areas. This shift ensures stable operation for Ukrainian processing capacity and provides European buyers with a more resilient supply source beyond a single commodity stream. The growth of related by-products like rapeseed meal, where shipments increased by 130%, further broadens the resource base for European purchasers.
