In August 2023, Ukraine increased exports of agricultural products by 16% compared to the previous month – up to 4.3 million tons, and this is without taking into account the growing queues of vehicles at the borders, according to the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB).
“Such export volumes in August 2023 are an incredible result. Despite all the obstacles (Russia’s shelling of the Danube river infrastructure, falling water levels in the Danube, a ban on the export of a number of key Ukrainian exports to neighboring countries, etc.), as well as the lack of sea exports, Ukrainian farmers and traders continue to provide the world with the necessary food,” analysts said.
They specified that the Danube river ports remain the most efficient channel, thanks to which 4% of agricultural exports were delivered to foreign markets in August.
According to UCAB, in August 2023, the share of grain crops in the structure of agricultural exports increased by 2% and amounted to 2.3 mln tons (wheat – 52%, corn – 39%, barley – 9%).
Exports of oilseeds increased 2.3 times to 755.4 thousand tons (rapeseed – 94%, soybeans – 4%, and sunflower seeds – 1%).
The share of oilcake after extraction from vegetable oils in Ukraine’s agricultural exports in August 2023 increased by 15% to 367.3 thsd tonnes (sunflower – 98%, soybean – 2%).
The supply volumes of vegetable oils remained unchanged at 548.9 thsd tonnes (sunflower oil – 81%, rapeseed oil – 17%, soybean oil – 2%).
The analysts noted that the biggest changes in August 2023 were observed in the exports of oilseeds, the volume of which increased by 2.3 times. The main reason was the end of the rapeseed harvest in Ukraine and active exports.
“The next month is important for determining further trends in Ukrainian exports, as the ban on exports of four key items to neighboring countries is due to expire on September 15, 2023. The lifting of this restriction will significantly improve the situation with Ukrainian exports, which is what the entire Ukrainian agricultural sector hopes for,” UCAB summarized.
