Soybean processing in Ukraine to exceed five-year average by 1.5 times this season — UCAB

Domestic soybean processing in Ukraine in the 2025/26 marketing year may reach 2.9 million tons, which is 51.4% higher than the average over the past five years, according to the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club Association (UCAB).

The increase in domestic soybean use is primarily driven by the development of processing, in particular the production of soybean oil and soybean meal. At the same time, the figure will be 2.6% lower than in the previous season.

Despite a reduction in sown areas, processing remains stable. In the 2025/26 MY, soybean acreage is estimated at around 2.1 million hectares, which is 30% less than last year but 15.3% higher than the five-year average. Gross harvest is expected at 5 million tons (–30.8% year-on-year), mainly due to the decrease in planted area.

Soybean oil production is expected to decline only slightly, to 527 thousand tons (–2.6% year-on-year). This trend is explained by the export duty applied to traders, which stimulates domestic processing and limits raw soybean exports.

Ukraine remains export-oriented in this segment. Domestic consumption of soybean oil stays low — at around 25–30 thousand tons, while up to 95% of output is supplied to foreign markets.

In the 2024/25 MY, soybean oil exports totalled 520 thousand tons (+51.4% year-on-year), while in the 2025/26 MY they are forecast at 501 thousand tons (–3.7%). The European Union remains the main buyer, accounting for 87% of exports.