Agro-industrial holding Astarta, Ukraine’s largest sugar producer, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have signed a $40 million loan agreement to build Ukraine’s first soy protein concentrate plant, the agro-industrial holding’s press service said on Facebook.
Astarta noted that this investment is part of a financing package of up to $80 million approved by the IFC Board of Directors on April 1, 2025.
It is noted that the funds are secured by guarantees from the European Commission under the Ukraine Investment Framework and the Dutch government in support of the IFC Economic Resilience Action (ERA) program. The investment will contribute to job creation, increased competitiveness of the agricultural sector, and export diversification.
“This investment is an example of how strategic international partnerships transform challenges into long-term opportunities for Ukraine. By launching the country’s first soy protein concentrate production facility, we are integrating our country into global food chains, promoting economic recovery, industrial modernization, and job creation. Astarta is implementing this project as part of its sustainable agribusiness development strategy,” emphasized Viktor Ivanchik, CEO and founder of the agricultural holding company.
Alfonso Garcia Mora, IFC Vice President for Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean, expressed confidence that this investment will help Ukraine produce more high-value agricultural products and move up the value chain.
“By improving the competitiveness of the agricultural sector and its integration into European markets, we aim to support recovery, job creation, and resilience,” he said.
According to European Union Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova, whose words are also quoted in the press release, Astarta’s new plant is an example of how joint efforts bring real results for Ukraine’s future.
In turn, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ukraine, Alle Dorgaut, noted that the Netherlands is pleased to contribute to the construction of Ukraine’s first soy protein concentrate plant.
“The IFC Economic Resilience Action (ERA) program provides support to critical sectors during the Russian invasion, including agribusiness (…) IFC’s investments in Ukraine are crucial, especially in the context of war, to ensure the vital recovery of the Ukrainian economy. In this context, international financial institutions, including the IFC as part of the World Bank Group, play a key role,” he stressed.
Astarta added that, in partnership with the Czech government, the IFC will also support the agricultural holding in conducting market and marketing research in Ukraine and provide advice on supporting local communities, youth, and older workers, facilitating the reintegration of veterans.
As reported, on April 1, the IFC approved a project to provide Astarta with an $80 million financing package for the construction of a soy protein concentrate plant in the Poltava region. The package will consist of: (i) a Loan A of up to $50.7 million from the IFC’s own resources, (ii) a loan of up to $24.4 million from the IFC, acting as the implementing agency for the Economic Resilience Program for Ukraine (ERA) with support from the Netherlands, and (iii) a Loan B of up to $40 million to be provided to the participants, provided that the total amount of the loans does not exceed $80 million.
In 2024, Astarta began investing in the construction of a soybean meal processing plant with a capacity of 500 tons/day (approximately 100,000 tons/year) at the Globinsky Industrial Complex (Poltava region). The agricultural holding will invest over EUR 76 million in the purchase of equipment and technologies and create 110 new jobs.
Astarta and its structural unit Astarta Agro Protein signed the first investment agreement with the Ukrainian government to receive compensation from the state for significant investments. Under the agreement, the state will provide the agricultural holding with a number of incentives, including exemption from import duties on new equipment, import VAT on new equipment, and income tax for up to five years.
Astarta is a vertically integrated agro-industrial holding company operating in eight regions of Ukraine and the largest sugar producer in Ukraine. It comprises six sugar factories, agricultural enterprises with a land bank of 220,000 hectares, dairy farms with 22,000 head of cattle, an oil extraction plant in Hlobine (Poltava region), seven elevators, and a biogas complex.
In the first nine months of 2024, Astarta increased its net profit by 35.1% compared to the same period in 2023, to EUR75.60 million. The agricultural holding’s revenue grew by 12.6% to EUR441.46 million, and EBITDA by 12.8% to $131.56 million.
Despite the ongoing war, the Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy in Odessa is actively participating in international scientific projects. This was reported by Oleg Zadorozhny, MD, senior researcher at the institute, in an exclusive interview with the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.
“In recent years, scientists from the Institute have participated in nine global international research projects,” Zadorozhny said. He emphasized that this is recognition of the relevance and significance of the scientific work carried out at the Institute.
According to him, participation in such projects allows for the exchange of experience with foreign colleagues, the introduction of advanced methods of diagnosis and treatment, and the improvement of medical care for patients.
“The institute has not only remained on the forefront of global ophthalmological science, but is, on the contrary, in a leading position,” Zadorozhny added.
Source: https://interfax.com.ua/news/interview/1071616.html?utm_source=telegram
In January-April this year, Ukraine increased exports of ferroalloys in physical terms 34 times compared to the same period last year, to 38,963 thousand tons from 1,141 thousand tons.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS) on Tuesday, in monetary terms, exports of ferroalloys increased 11.6 times to $42.657 million.
The main export destinations were Poland (33.84% of shipments in monetary terms), Algeria (24.34%), and Turkey (21.38%).
In addition, in the first four months of 2025, Ukraine imported 14,341 thousand tons of this product, a decrease of 60.7% compared to the first four months of 2024. In monetary terms, imports fell by 53.1% to $27.798 million. Imports came mainly from Norway (29.80%), Kazakhstan (12.65%), and Georgia (12.14%).
As reported, the Pokrovsky Mining and Processing Plant (PGZK, formerly Ordzhonikidze Mining and Processing Plant) and Marganetsky Mining and Processing Plant (MGPP, both in Dnipropetrovsk region), which are part of the Privat group, stopped mining and processing raw manganese ore in late October – early November 2023, while NZF and ZZF stopped smelting ferroalloys. In the summer of 2024, ferroalloy plants resumed production at a minimum level.
In 2024, Ukraine reduced its exports of ferroalloys in physical terms by 4.45 times compared to 2023, to 77,316 thousand tons from 344,173 thousand tons. In monetary terms, exports fell 3.4 times, to $88.631 million from $297.595 million. The main exports were to Poland (27.40% of shipments in monetary terms), Turkey (21.53%), and Italy (19.82%).
In addition, last year Ukraine imported 82,259 thousand tons of this product compared to 14,203 thousand tons in 2023 (an increase of 5.8 times). In monetary terms, imports increased 3.3 times, to $140.752 million from $42.927 million. Imports came mainly from Poland (32.71%), Norway (19.55%), and Kazakhstan (13.90%).
The business of ZZF, NZF, Stakhanov ZF (located at NKT), Pokrovsky and Marganetsky GZK was organized by PrivatBank before the nationalization of the financial institution. The Nikopol Ferroalloy Plant is controlled by the EastOne group, which was created in the fall of 2007 as a result of the restructuring of the Interpipe group, as well as the Privat group.
The V.P. Filatov Odessa Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy is actively introducing innovative technologies, including artificial intelligence and telemedicine, into ophthalmic practice. This was announced by Oleg Zadorozhny, MD, senior researcher at the institute, in an exclusive interview with the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.
“We are conducting multidisciplinary research in the field of artificial intelligence for screening diabetic retinopathy in partnership between the Institute, Odessa National Medical University, and international companies,” Zadorozhny said.
He emphasized that the introduction of telemedicine technologies allows for remote diagnosis and consultation of patients, which is especially important in conditions of limited access to medical facilities during military operations.
“The institute is addressing medical science issues that are currently the most pressing in Ukraine and around the world,” Zadorozhny added.
Source: https://interfax.com.ua/news/interview/1071616.html?utm_source=telegram
In January-April 2025, truck imports to Ukraine decreased by 4.3% in monetary terms compared to the same period in 2024, to $286.56 million, according to statistics from the State Customs Service (SCS).
According to the published data of the SCS, in April, imports of this type of vehicle decreased by 12.2% compared to April 2024, to $71.31 million.
The largest number of trucks in four months was imported from the US – $64.09 million (22.4% of imports), Poland – $61.77 million (21.2%), and France – $46.03 million (16%).
A year ago, the top three truck suppliers were Poland (23.2% of total truck imports, or $69 million), the US (11%, or $33.4 million), and China (10.1%, or $30.2 million).
Imports from all other countries in January-April decreased by 30.6% to $115.7 million.
At the same time, according to statistics, Ukraine exported only $2.73 million worth of trucks in four months, mainly to Romania (57.3% of exports of such vehicles), Turkey, and Moldova, while a year earlier, exports were even more insignificant ($1 million).
As reported, in 2024, imports of trucks to Ukraine in monetary terms increased by 30% compared to 2023, to $947.84 million, with the largest share coming from Poland (almost 20%).
