News

Grain reserves in Ukraine are a third higher than last year

agroconf1 — Thu, 28 May 2026 07:19:37 +0000

28.05.2026

Stocks of grain and leguminous crops in Ukraine as of May 1, 2026 amounted to 12.7 million tons, which is 4.8 million tons more than the indicator on the same date a year earlier, according to data from the State Statistics Service.

It is noted that by the reporting date, 8.1 million tons of grain and leguminous crops were stored in agricultural enterprises, which is 52.8% more than the indicator on the same date a year earlier, and 4.6 million tons (+74.5%) were stored in processing and storage enterprises.

Sowing Campaign 2026: Weather Shifts, Labor Shortages and Initial Harvest Forecasts — Interview with Pavlo Koval

agroconf1 — Sat, 23 May 2026 13:12:30 +0000

23.05.2026

Pavlo Koval, Director General of the Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation (UAC), provided an in-depth analysis of Ukraine’s spring sowing campaign during an interview on Ukrainian Radio. The discussion focused on the impact of abnormal weather conditions, the escalating labor shortage, and diverging forecasts for the upcoming harvest. Below is an extended summary of the key points from the interview.

— Mr. Koval, how have this spring’s weather conditions affected the sowing campaign schedule? How critical is the delay?

Xi-Trump summit may yield farm deal, but China has limited soybean appetite

agroconf1 — Wed, 13 May 2026 14:31:31 +0000

13.05.2026

Agriculture remains a less contentious area in U.S.-China relations. China unlikely to increase soybean purchases beyond existing commitments. Markets expect new deals for corn, sorghum, milling wheat, poultry and meat.

Ukraine has increased wheat exports

agroconf1 — Tue, 05 May 2026 06:48:40 +0000

05.05.2026

In April, Ukraine exported significantly more wheat than in March. According to the State Statistics Service, 1.29 million tons were shipped, compared to 803 thousand tons a month earlier.

Since the beginning of the season, exports have amounted to 11.06 million tons.

As reported by Spike Brokers, April was a month of acceleration after a weaker March, but the overall seasonal dynamics continue to depend on the concentration of demand on individual large importers and price competition from the Black Sea region.

Who buys Ukrainian wheat?

South Africa may reach record canola production in 2026

agroconf1 — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:24:36 +0000

29.04.2026

South Africa’s canola production is expected to continue expanding, with output in the 2026/27 season potentially reaching a new record. Farmers are increasing planted area in response to strong demand for vegetable oils and oilcake.

Planted area is projected at around 189.2 thousand hectares, up 8% year-on-year. If yields remain at the five-year average of 1.89 t/ha, total production could reach approximately 357.5 thousand tonnes, marking a 16% increase from the previous season.

Pistachio Price Shock Spurs South Africa Farmers to Boost Output

agroconf1 — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 06:21:00 +0000

24.04.2026

South African farming group Karoo Pistachios is ramping up output to capitalize on surging prices and compete with the world’s biggest producers.

The nuts — used in ice cream and chocolate — climbed to the highest level in almost a decade this month as the conflict in Iran, the world’s second-largest grower, disrupts supplies in an already constrained market.

Profits of Ukrainian agricultural companies increased by 21%

agroconf1 — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:53:26 +0000

16.04.2026

The financial performance of Ukraine’s agricultural sector (NACE 01) showed significant nominal growth in 2025.

Experts note that an analysis of macroeconomic statistics indicates a deep structural gap between the nominal financial results of enterprises and the dynamics of real value added generated in the sector.

Pavlo Koval: “Ukrainian agriculture is shifting from a volume-driven approach to margin-oriented production”

agroconf1 — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:00:22 +0000

13.04.2026

The Director General of the Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation, Pavlo Koval, provided a detailed analysis of this year’s spring sowing campaign during a broadcast on Ukrainian Radio. He explained why farmers are being forced to reconsider crop structures, how global geopolitics is affecting production costs, and what transformations of the European market Ukrainian businesses should prepare for.

– Mr. Koval, the spring sowing campaign is already well underway. What are the key challenges farmers are facing, and how does this “fifth wartime sowing campaign” differ from the previous ones?

Pavlo Koval: More than one million hectares of early grains and legumes have already been sown, and some farms are beginning to plant sugar beet. However, this campaign will certainly not be cheaper or easier. There are several fundamental challenges common to all regions.

Stronger Chinese demand pushes up Ukrainian soybean prices

agroconf1 — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:03:53 +0000

09.04.2026

Over the past week, Ukraine’s soybean market recorded moderate price growth, particularly in the western border segment. The key driver was stronger demand from China, along with low container freight rates, according to White Brokers.

This made container exports more attractive, which in turn supported prices. An additional factor was the return of other Asian importers to the market.

Prices for GMO soybeans on a DAP port basis were around $465/t, while at the western border, they were $1–2/t higher.

Palm oil prices ended the Asian trading session lower on Monday

agroconf1 — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:51:57 +0000

07.04.2026

Palm oil prices closed lower in the Asian trading session but remained elevated. Nomura analysts Raghavendra Diwekar and Amol Dongre wrote in a note that palm oil prices will likely be supported this week by a weaker ringgit and declining inventories in Malaysia. The average palm oil price this week could be around 4,700 ringgit, although a de-escalation of the Middle East conflict and lower oil prices could push them below 4,600 ringgit per tonne, the analysts believe.

Global grain prices fall on expectations of de-escalation in the Middle East

agroconf1 — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 08:10:27 +0000

02.04.2026

Grain prices in Chicago fell, leveling off earlier gains, amid optimism about a possible end to the war in the Middle East. This is reported by Bloomberg.

Oil prices – one of the key drivers of the grain and oilseed market in recent times – have also fallen in recent days. Brent futures fell below $ 100 a barrel on Wednesday after President Donald Trump said that the United States could withdraw from the conflict with Iran within weeks, although hostilities continue.

Wheat fell as much as 2.4% – this is the biggest drop in more than a week. Corn and soybeans also fell.

The Third Ukraine - The Netherlands Agricultural Dialogue (UANLAD): Joint Statement by UNAF and LTO NEDERLAND

agroconf1 — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:29:31 +0000

01.04.2026

The third Ukraine - The Netherlands Agricultural Dialogue (UANLAD) took place on 30 and 31 March, 2026 in Breda, The Netherlands. The UANLAD is co-organized by the Ukrainian National Agrarian Forum UNAF and the Netherlands Farmers’ and Growers’ Association LTO NEDERLAND with full support and encouragement of the Ministries of Agriculture of both countries.

The third UANLAD event was opened by Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Mr Taras Kachka, LTO President Mr Ger Koopmans, UNAF director Ms Mariia Didukh and senior Ukrainian and Dutch government representatives. Ambassadors Mr Andrii Kostin and Mr Alle Dorhout were also present at the meeting.

“We are integrating into an EU that is itself changing”: Pavlo Koval on risks, the sowing campaign, and the role of AI in agriculture

agroconf1 — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 07:01:15 +0000

30.03.2026

Director General of the Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation Pavlo Koval, speaking on Ukrainian Radio, provided a comprehensive analysis of the key challenges currently facing Ukrainian farmers. In an in-depth discussion, he outlined the hidden complexities of European integration, explained the impact of the Middle East crisis on the cost of the sowing campaign in Ukraine, and emphasized the critical importance of implementing artificial intelligence to address the labor shortage.

“The agricultural sector will withstand, despite mined fields, fertilizer shortages, and logistical blockades” – Leonid Kozachenko

agroconf1 — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 09:34:58 +0000

28.03.2026

The President of the Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation, Leonid Kozachenko, in an interview with Ukrainian Radio, analyzed the key challenges faced by Ukrainian farmers during this year’s spring field campaign. He spoke about the impact of mined territories on overall harvest volumes, export difficulties caused by European quotas and border protests, and shared forecasts regarding food prices and domestic food security.

China officially opens its market to Ukrainian peas, with exports currently approved for two companies

agroconf1 — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 12:47:19 +0000

26.03.2026

China has opened its market to Ukrainian peas following an audit, Ukraine’s State Service on Food Safety and Consumer Protection reported.

The Chinese side inspected the operating conditions of Ukrainian enterprises as well as their laboratory control capabilities. Based on the results, Ukraine received official authorization to export peas to China.