Ukraine exported 270,000 tons of sugar in the first half of the 2025-2026 marketing year (MY, September-February), according to the National Association of Sugar Producers of Ukraine “Ukrtsukor” on its Telegram channel.
The industry association specified that Lebanon was the main destination for Ukrainian exports during this period, accounting for 29% of the total. Syria (17%) and European Union countries (14%) were also among the top three consumers.
In addition, significant volumes of Ukrainian sugar were shipped to North Macedonia (6%) and Mauritania (5%).
As reported, Ukraine ended the 2025 sugar season with 1.72 million tons of sugar. Despite a 23% reduction in acreage (to 199,000 hectares), production fell by only 4% thanks to a record yield of 58 tons/hectare and high sugar content of raw materials (17.6%). Sugar yield was 15.17%.
According to Yana Kavushevskaya, head of the Ukrtsukor association, the industry remains export-oriented, but supply directions are being adapted to EU quota conditions. Export potential for 2026 is estimated at 700,000 tons, while domestic consumption is expected to reach 900,000 tons.
The leaders in production last season were Radekhiv Sugar (32% of the market), Astarta (21%), and UkrProminvest-Agro (15%).
According to the association’s forecasts, in 2026, the area under sugar beet cultivation may decrease to 170,000 hectares, which will lead to a decrease in sugar production to 1.3 million tons.
76% of Ukrainians oppose completely blocking the Telegram messenger, while only 16% support the idea, according to the results of a survey conducted by the Rating Group at the end of February 2026.
“Recently, there has been renewed public discussion about blocking (restricting) the Telegram messenger… Overall, 67% of Ukrainians are more or less active users of Telegram. It is most often used by young respondents, residents of Kyiv and regional centers, and citizens with high incomes,” the study says.
According to the results obtained by sociologists, most Ukrainians do not see the messenger as a threat to themselves personally, but are more likely to recognize the risks to national security.
“The vast majority of respondents (72%) believe that Telegram has no impact on their personal safety. Only 8% believe that using the messenger has a negative impact on personal safety, while 15% believe it has a positive impact,” the study data shows.
According to data on Telegram’s impact on national security, respondents’ opinions differ.
“About a third (35%) express the opinion that there is no impact, and another quarter cannot answer. At the same time, one in four respondents (28%) believe that Telegram has a negative impact on national security,” sociologists write.
The study was conducted on February 26-28, 2026. Survey method: CATI (Computer-Assisted Telephone Interview) – telephone interviews using a computer. Sample size: 1,000 respondents.
Sample format: random sample of mobile phone numbers (Ukrainian population aged 18 and older in all regions, except for the temporarily occupied territories of Crimea and Donbas, as well as territories where Ukrainian mobile communications were unavailable at the time of the survey). The results were weighted using current data from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine.
Representativeness: the sample is representative in terms of age, gender, and type of settlement (margin of error – no more than 3.1% with a confidence level of 0.9).
In January-February of this year, the Zaporizhstal metallurgical plant reduced its rolled steel shipments by 1.8% compared to the same period last year, from 413,300 tons to 406,000 tons.
According to its press release on Tuesday, steel production in the first two months amounted to 460,000 tons (in January-February 2025 – 478,300 tons), and pig iron production amounted to 502,900 tons (553,100 tons).
In February, Zaporizhstal produced 253,000 tons of pig iron, 225,600 tons of steel, and shipped 189,800 tons of rolled products.
As reported, in 2025, Zaporizhstal increased its rolled steel output by 15.2% compared to the previous year, from 2 million 426.7 thousand tons to 2 million 794.6 thousand tons. Steel production amounted to 3 million 212.2 thousand tons (in 2024 – 2 million 890.8 thousand tons), pig iron – 3 million 567.8 thousand tons (3 million 106.3 thousand tons).
In 2024, Zaporizhstal increased its rolled steel output by 18.1% compared to 2023, to 2 million 426.7 thousand tons from 2 million 54.7 thousand tons, and steel output by 17.2%, to 2 million 890.8 thousand tons, and pig iron by 14.2%, to 3 million 106.3 thousand tons.
In 2023, Zaporizhstal increased its rolled steel production by 57.2% compared to 2022, to 2 million 54.7 thousand tons, steel by 65.4%, to 2 million 466.9 thousand tons, and pig iron by 35.3%, to 2 million 718.9 thousand tons.
Zaporizhstal is one of Ukraine’s largest industrial enterprises, whose products are in high demand among consumers both in the domestic market and in many countries around the world.
Zaporizhstal is a joint venture of the Metinvest Group, whose main shareholders are System Capital Management (71.24%) and Smart Steel Limited (23.76%). Metinvest Holding LLC is the managing company of the Metinvest Group.
Ukraine will participate in The London Book Fair, which will take place from March 10 to 12, according to the Ukrainian Book Institute (UBI).
“The London Book Fair is one of the largest and most prestigious business events in the book world, with over 1,000 exhibitors and around 30,000 visitors each year. The fair will traditionally be held at the Olympia exhibition center,” the Institute said in a statement.
It is noted that Ukraine will be represented in London by a national stand organized by the UIC.
In particular, 12 publishing houses and a literary agency will present their books at the national stand: Summit-Book, Artbooks, Educational Book – Bohdan, ORLANDO Publishing House, Vydavnytstvo Staroho Leva, Vivat, Vydavnytstvo Ukraїner, CREATIVE PUBLISHING, Ukrainian Fashion Publishing, Ranok, Creative Women Publishing, Freimut Books, and the OVO Literary Agency.
The ministry announced that the official opening of the stand, attended by Deputy Minister of Culture of Ukraine Bohdana Lauk, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Valery Zaluzhny, and Director of the London Book Fair Emma Lowe, is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on March 10.
As reported, in 2025, the Ukrainian national stand at the London Book Fair was represented by 14 Ukrainian publishers and literary agencies, with 199 Ukrainian publications.
In the “Medium and Long-Term Market” section of the UEB, trading continued for February and March 2026. In total, six companies formed positions for the sale or purchase of natural gas: Ukrnafta, VK Ukrnaftoburinnya, SP BNK, Kyivvodokanal, LTK Elektrum, and Energo Zbut Trans. A total of 15.71 million cubic meters of natural gas was sold in this section, which is 10 times more than in the previous week. Natural gas was sold with delivery to the gas transmission system and underground gas storage facilities in February and March. The prices of the positions sold ranged from UAH 18,833 to UAH 20,833 per thousand cubic meters, excluding VAT.
On the short-term natural gas market of the UEB, participants formed bids on the intraday market and the day-ahead market. A total of 29 deals were concluded with a total volume of 1,087 (+26.88%) thousand cubic meters.
Fundamental indicators in Europe remained weak amid mild weather and stable gas supplies. Traditionally, from late March to May, there is a decline in demand for heating and cooling, which often leads to a seasonal decline in prices. This makes spring one of the most attractive periods of the year for concluding forward contracts. Prices may be relatively attractive before the summer heat or unexpected supply disruptions lead to renewed volatility. On Thursday, gas markets were characterized by high volatility in both directions across the curve.
The overall fill rate of EU gas storage facilities fell to 30.19% by February 25. The market expects lower withdrawal rates for the remainder of the winter period.
Natural gas imports from Europe averaged around 25.2 million cubic meters per day and were virtually unchanged from the previous week.
According to the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UAC), agricultural exports from Ukraine totaled 5.0 million tons in February 2026, which is 0.3% higher than the previous month.
“This is the fourth month in a row that agricultural exports have remained at 5.0 million tons with minimal deviations. The main product currently being exported is corn,” analysts said.
In the export structure for February, grain crops accounted for the largest share—3.4 million tons, which is 1% more than in January. In this segment, corn accounted for 81% of supplies, and wheat—19%. At the same time, exports of oilseeds decreased by 14% to 303.5 thousand tons (soybeans — 72%, rapeseed — 25%, sunflower — 2%).
Supplies of vegetable oils to foreign markets in February fell by 9% and amounted to 437.7 thousand tons. In this category, sunflower oil accounts for 83%, rapeseed oil for 10%, and soybean oil for 7%. On the other hand, exports of oilcake after the extraction of vegetable oils increased by 14% to 470.4 thousand tons, with sunflower oil accounting for 75% and soybean oil for 25%. Exports of other types of agricultural products increased by 3% to 359.7 thousand tons.
