Ukraine is increasing exports of sunflower oil to India. In July 2025, it supplied 78,000 tons to this country, which is 57% more than in June, according to the analytical agency UkrAgroConsult.
The agency cited Indian sources, according to which Ukrainian oil accounted for 39% of total imports of this product to India in July, which amounted to 200,000 tons. Thus, for the first time since the start of the war,
Ukraine has overtaken Russia, whose exports to India in this segment amounted to 49,000 tons, or 25% of the total volume imported into the country.
“In recent seasons, Russia has dominated the Indian sunflower oil market, while Ukraine’s share has fluctuated between 13% and 34%. However, in the second half of the 2024/25 season, Russian producers reduced production volumes due to low profitability, which led to a decrease in supply on foreign markets. An additional factor was the non-zero export duty on Russian oil,” experts explained.
According to analysts, Ukraine exported 767,000 tons of sunflower oil to India between September 2024 and July 2025, which is 55% more than in the same period of the previous season.
“This figure is a record since 2022, confirming India’s position as a key importer of Ukrainian oil. The growth in exports reflects the stable recovery of Ukraine’s position in the global market,” UkrAgroConsult concluded.
In 2024, Ukraine entered the TOP 3 global leaders in honey exports and ranked third with 85.8 thousand tons, according to the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UABC).
Analysts noted that China and India ranked first and second among the world’s top five honey exporters last year, with 169,600 tons and 94,800 tons, respectively. Argentina (78,100 tons) and Vietnam (48,200 tons) ranked fourth and fifth.
“Honey is probably one of the few components of Ukrainian agricultural exports that has not been affected by the blockade of seaports by Russian troops, as its main consumers are European countries. Previously, the duty-free quotas for this product, which were allocated under the Association Agreement with the EU, were exhausted by Ukrainian exporters in a matter of days — sometimes as early as January 4. After the European Union abolished duties and fees on Ukrainian exports, Ukrainian beekeepers had profitable export opportunities,” the experts explained.
According to their information, the largest buyers of Ukrainian honey in 2024 were Germany (18.9 thousand tons), the United States (12.1 thousand tons), Poland (9.7 thousand tons), France (9.6 thousand tons), and Belgium (7.1 thousand tons). In addition, Ukrainian honey was present in other markets, namely Turkey, Great Britain, Japan, Switzerland, Canada, Qatar, Jordan, etc.
However, in 2025, the EU reintroduced quotas on Ukrainian honey, creating additional barriers to exports.
“Although the quotas are significantly higher than before, they still do not cover Ukraine’s entire export potential. At the same time, this is an important step that helps Ukrainian producers remain competitive in the European market, which remains key for the sale of Ukrainian honey,” the UCA concluded.
A new study in The Lancet Planetary Health (ISGlobal, 654 regions, 32 European countries, 2004–2022) has shown that small particles of smoke from fires (PM₂.₅) increase the risk of death more than “normal” urban aerosols of the same size. For every +1 μg/m³ of “fire” PM₂.₅, overall mortality increases by 0.7%, respiratory mortality by 1%, and cardiovascular mortality by 0.9%. Previously, mortality from smoke was underestimated by 93%: instead of ≈38 cases per year in Europe, the figure is ≈535.
Ukraine — in the spotlight
The analysis covers 32 European countries and shows a more pronounced effect in Eastern Europe — the conclusions are directly relevant to Ukraine, where seasonal landscape fires and smoke transport from neighboring regions lead to “peak” pollution days.
On “smoky” days, even a small increase in PM₂.₅ has a measurable effect on mortality among vulnerable groups (the elderly, people with asthma/cardiovascular disease). Cities should prepare alerts and clean air zones (hospitals, schools, hubs) in advance, and residents should close windows, use air purifiers, limit outdoor activities, and wear FFP2/FFP3 masks outdoors when levels exceed the threshold.
Aerosols from fires contain a different profile of toxicants and are more potent than particles from transport/industry, so it is incorrect to “combine” them with conventional PM₂.₅: the risks are higher, and response measures should be separate.
Primary source: The Lancet Planetary Health / ISGlobal (study on the short-term effects of “fire” PM₂.₅ on mortality in Europe). ISGLOBAL
The number of written appeals to the National Bank of Ukraine on the activities of insurance companies in the second quarter of 2025 decreased by 9.3% – to 321, oral appeals through the contact center – by 18%, to 41, according to the report on the work with appeals of consumers of financial services in the mentioned period.
“We observe a tendency to decrease the number of written appeals on the work of financial, collection companies and insurers. At the same time, we note an increase in the number of questions regarding the work of banks of all forms of ownership,” the report says.
It is noted that the share of identified violations in written appeals regarding the activities of insurers is 22%, state banks – 2.8%, private banks – 1.8%, foreign banks -1.3%, financial companies – 21%, collection companies – 34%.
Appeals regarding the activities of insurers relate to disputes when the consumer received compensation not in full or did not receive it at all.
According to the NBU, the reasons for such problems vary from violations of legislation on the part of insurers to the provision of false data on the occurrence of an insured event by the consumer. In addition, the amount of compensation for material damage may differ from the actual amount due to the expert opinion of the involved insurer’s specialist and the application of depreciation in the calculation of material damage, which is determined by the current legislation or the terms of the contract.
PJSC Ukrhazvydobuvannya (Kyiv) on August 20 announced a tender for services on insurance of drivers against accidents on transport.
As reported in the system of electronic public procurement Prozorro, the expected cost of the purchase of services is 518.014 thousand UAH. The deadline for submission of documents is August 28.
Madrid in the first half of 2025 confirmed its status as one of the key business centers of Southern Europe, remaining an attractive market for investors and tenants. Despite high inflation in the eurozone and ongoing geopolitical risks, the city’s office real estate market shows moderate growth and maintains a high level of activity in the premium segment.
Prices and rental dynamics
The average rental rate for Class A offices in Madrid’s central business district (CBD) in June 2025 was €36-39 per sqm per month, 3-4% higher than in the same period last year. In areas outside the CBD, including the Atocha and Chamartin districts, rates are holding between €22-28 per sqm.
The rental growth is mainly due to the shortage of quality modern space and increased demand from international companies in the IT, consulting and finance sectors.
Sales market
The average purchase price of office properties in Madrid in the first half of 2025 was €4,200-4,800 per sqm in central areas. In suburban areas (Alcobendas, Las Rosas, San Sebastian de los Reyes), prices range from €2,200 to €2,800 per square meter.
Deals with investment funds and REITs remain a key driver: in the first half of the year, several large office building renovation projects entered the market, and the volume of investment in the sector is estimated at €1.6-1.8 billion, 12% more than in the same period in 2024.
Expert opinions
According to CBRE Spain analysts, companies are increasingly abandoning old premises in favor of offices with energy efficiency certification (BREEAM, LEED). The share of such areas in the structure of transactions reached 45%, indicating a growing interest in sustainable development.
Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) notes that demand for co-working and flexible office solutions in Madrid has increased by 15% year-on-year. Startups and branches of international corporations that are expanding their presence in Spain are particularly active using this format.
Forecast
Office rental rates in Madrid are expected to continue their moderate growth of 2-3% in the second half of 2025, especially in the premium segment. Purchase prices, according to Knight Frank experts, will fluctuate within the current values, but investor interest will continue due to stable demand and limited supply of new space.
In the medium term, the Madrid market will remain a benchmark for investors in Southern Europe: the combination of high quality of life, developed infrastructure and a growing number of international companies makes it one of the most stable office markets in the region.
http://relocation.com.ua/office-real-estate-market-in-madrid-results-first-half-2025/
