Ukraine's agricultural exports plummeted by 23.4% during April.
A New Twist in Ukraine's Agricultural Saga
британские журналисты🚀
Ukraine's agricultural sector experienced a significant setback in April, with a 23.4% drop in exports compared to March, as reported by the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB). This decrease aligns with typical seasonal patterns, as most of the harvested produce has already been exported, leaving only minor volumes for export.
Agriculture plays a significant role in Ukraine's economy, accounting for roughly 20% of its GDP. The sector has weathered approximately $80 billion in losses since the full-scale invasion began, according to Agriculture Minister Vitalii Koval.
In April, UCAB data revealed that exports declined across most categories, with vegetable oils being the only exception, showing a 6% increase over March. The decline in grain exports, which constitute the largest share of agricultural exports, fell 33% to 2.4 million tons. Corn accounted for 65% of this grain share, followed by wheat at 32% and barley at 2%.
Oilseed exports dipped marginally by 3%, reaching 421,200 tons, with soybeans making up 78% of the category. The unusual growth in Ukrainian sunflower oil exports during this period can be attributed to production being spread over a longer period in 2025.
Russia has consistently sought to exert pressure on Ukraine's agricultural exports throughout the full-scale war. Moscow attempted to block export access by controlling the Black Sea and replacing Ukrainian products with its own, including grain alleged to have originated from occupied territories.
In October 2024, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal accused Russia of pilfering millions of tons of Ukrainian grain from occupied territories, with at least 180,000 tons stolen through Mariupol alone. Ukrainian security services detained a Russian "shadow fleet" ship carrying stolen Ukrainian grain from Crimea in April 2025.
In response to Russia's temporary Black Sea blockade, Ukraine established a new maritime trade route in 2023, rejuvenating its agricultural exports. Today, agricultural products constitute 59% of the country's total exports. In 2024, Ukraine's agricultural exports reached $24.5 billion, nearing the record-breaking $27.7 billion achieved in 2021.
The agricultural sector in Ukraine continues to face numerous challenges, including severe geopolitical pressures, economic stresses, and climatic vulnerabilities. Despite these challenges, the resilience of Ukraine's farmers and the adaptability of its logistics network offer a glimmer of hope for the future of Ukraine's agricultural exports.
Insights:- Persistent geopolitical tensions, missile strikes, and shipping lane disruptions pose substantial challenges to Ukraine's agricultural exports.- Climate factors, such as droughts and cold weather, can lead to crops failing, causing major setbacks to the sector.- Ukraine has attempted to mitigate the impact of the Black Sea blockade by diversifying export routes through the Danube and railways, although these alternative routes tend to be more costly and time-consuming.- Russia’s alleged theft of Ukrainian grain from occupied territories underscores the complex and hostile geopolitical dynamics shaping the region.- Despite the challenges, continued resilience in the agricultural sector promises hope for Ukraine's economic recovery.
- In 2024, Ukraine's agricultural exports reached a significant amount, nearing the record-breaking numbers of 2021, defying the geopolitical pressures, economic stresses, and climatic vulnerabilities it faced.
- The decline in Ukrainian grain exports, a major contributor to the agricultural sector's GDP, plummeted by 33% to 2.4 million tons in April, largely attributed to geopolitical tensions and seasonal patterns.
- In the food-and-drink sector, Ukrainian sunflower oil exports experienced unusual growth in 2025, due to production being spread over a longer period. This change caused a shift in the oilseed exports, where soybeans make up 78%, though the overall export category dipped marginally by 3%.
- Political tensions between Ukraine and Russia continue to impact the agricultural sector; in October 2024, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal accused Russia of pilfering millions of tons of Ukrainian grain from occupied territories, a harsh reminder of the complex geopolitical landscape in the region.
