High prices and expanding processing capacity are transforming Ukraine’s oilseed market.
2026/03/13
Ukraine is about to enter the spring planting season, and oilseed crops remain one of the most attractive crop categories for farmers. According to UkrAgroConsult, planting decisions for the 2026/27 marketing year are increasingly driven by anticipated profits and processing demand.
Due to tight supply, sunflower prices remain strong and continue to attract farmers’ attention. At the beginning of 2026, domestic sunflower prices approached 30,000 hryvnias per ton, making it one of the most profitable crops for Ukrainian growers.
The planting outlook for the new season indicates that sunflower yields will gradually recover as winter soil moisture conditions improve. Sunflower planting area may expand to approximately 6.1 million hectares.
The soybean and rapeseed markets have also remained relatively stable. As domestic crushing becomes more attractive, Ukraine’s position in the regional oilseed industry will be further strengthened, and processing capacity utilization is expected to increase.
The price dynamics of sunflower seeds reflect strong quotations for the current marketing year. Balance sheets for sunflower seeds, soybeans, and rapeseed summarize expected production, processing volumes, and export levels. Comparative data on harvested area, yield, and supply structure indicate that Ukraine’s oilseed industry is moving toward increased domestic processing.
Analysts at UkrAgroConsult emphasized that, The structural trends in the oilseed industry remain unchanged: rising seed production is driving growth in the crushing sector and boosting exports of vegetable oils and vegetable meal.
Main Trends
- Oilseed crops remain one of the most profitable industries for Ukrainian farmers.
- Due to its strong prices, sunflower remains the dominant variety in planting decisions.
- Ukraine’s processing capacity utilization is expected to increase.
- The supply and demand in the soybean and rapeseed markets are relatively balanced.
- The growth rate of processed product exports has consistently outpaced the growth rate of original seed exports.
