The Ukrainian Grain Association (UGA) is urging the Verkhovna Rada and the government to repeal the 10% export duty on soybeans and rapeseed, the association reported.
According to the association’s estimates, in the 2025/26 marketing year, Ukraine exported 2.7 million metric tons of soybeans, compared to 3.8 million metric tons in the previous season, and 1.82 million metric tons of rapeseed, compared to 3.2 million metric tons. The UGA considers the introduction of the export duty to be one of the key reasons for the decline in exports of these crops.
The association notes that the additional 10% export duty diverts a portion of revenue from the production chain and increases the financial burden on agricultural producers, especially small and medium-sized ones, for whom selling their harvest at a competitive export price is crucial for covering loan payments, land rent, fuel, fertilizers, plant protection products, and labor costs.
The UZA also notes that the government has streamlined the procedure for confirming farmers’ eligibility for duty exemptions on their own-grown produce through the State Agrarian Register. However, in the association’s view, this mechanism does not address the systemic problem, as a significant portion of Ukrainian soybeans and rapeseed passes through the commercial distribution chain.
According to the UZA, export restrictions create imbalances in the domestic market and limit producers’ ability to choose the most economically viable sales channel. The association considers it important to maintain the ability to export products to markets where there is demand and where producers can obtain competitive prices.
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring a national state of emergency over the actions of the Cuban government, calling the situation an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to US national security and foreign policy.
According to the White House, the executive order also launches a procedure to impose additional duties on goods from countries that sell or otherwise supply oil to Cuba.
According to Reuters, the specific levels of tariffs and the list of countries in the document are not fixed – the decision involves further evaluation by specialized agencies of the United States.
Cuban authorities have publicly condemned Washington’s moves, saying that such measures could hit energy supplies and critical services on the island.
Rapeseed exports from Ukraine in October will not exceed 135-140 thousand tons, compared to 535 thousand tons last year (-73.8%). As of October 28, 125 thousand tons have already been exported, according to the analytical cooperative “Pusk,” created within the framework of the All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council (VAR).
“Exports are moving very slowly—everything is hampered by duties. It is they that have effectively stopped the normal work of exporters,” analysts noted.
At the same time, they noted that domestic processing volumes are growing.
“In September, we processed more than 100,000 tons of rapeseed, and in October, the figure will be no less. Against the backdrop of problems with sunflower, rapeseed is currently supporting the sector. Rapeseed prices in ports are quoted in the range of EUR 540-545/ton. At the same time, processors offer from UAH 25,000/ton and above,” analysts noted.
The European market is showing positive price dynamics.
“Over the past week, rapeseed exchange quotations have risen by EUR 10. January-February is traditionally expected to be the period of highest prices for this oilseed crop,” added Pusk.
International business, united by the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, emphasizes the need to urgently cancel export duties on soybeans and rapeseed.
They were introduced on September 4, 2025 in accordance with the Law of Ukraine #4536-IX “On Amendments to the Tax Code of Ukraine and Other Legislative Acts of Ukraine in connection with the Adoption of the Law of Ukraine ”On Integrated Industrial Pollution Prevention and Control“ and in order to improve certain provisions of tax legislation” (Law #4536-IX).
The amendment on the introduction of export duties on soybeans and rapeseed was included in Law No. 4536-IX in violation of the principles of legislative technique, the Rules of Procedure of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the principle of stability of tax legislation. Such changes contradict Ukraine’s European integration course and Article 31 of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, worsen the investment climate, pose risks to the rule of law, and lead to losses for agricultural producers due to falling purchase prices and reduced acreage.
Since September 4, 2025, Ukrainian Black Sea ports have been blocked by ships and port railways by railcars carrying rapeseed and soybeans due to the unresolved procedure and criteria for applying the zero duty rate for agricultural producers. Thus, all exporters, including agricultural producers, cannot export their goods and suffer losses due to fines for demurrage of ships and other vehicles, excessive storage of grain in ports, extended insurance coverage, and failure to fulfill contracts with foreign buyers. Expensive goods are stuck in ports and are at risk from regular shelling of ports, as are the crews of foreign vessels whose customs clearance is blocked. Foreign exchange earnings (up to USD 2 billion) for rapeseed and soybean seeds in 2025 have been effectively disrupted. Currently, at least nine vessels are in such a standstill, and according to preliminary estimates, the estimated losses for the business will be between USD 5 and 10 million per month.
In view of the above and the current critical situation, the American Chamber of Commerce calls on the Government to
AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, DUTIES, RAPESEED, SOYBEANS, UKRAINE
Soybean exports from Ukraine in the 2025-2026 marketing year (MY, July-June) may decrease by more than a third and amount to about 2.7 million tons due to the expected reduction in crop production, the possible impact of export duties, and the continued attractiveness of processing, according to the information and analytical agency APK-Inform.
Experts recalled that Ukraine exported 3.97 million tons of soybeans during September-July 2024-2025 MY, which is 28% more than in the same period last year and set a new record for the season.
“The significant increase in export rates was achieved primarily thanks to the record harvest of this crop in the country in 2024, as well as attractive prices and geographical proximity to key global importers,” analysts explained.
At the same time, in their opinion, the record pace of soybean shipments in the summer may be stimulated by the expected introduction of a 10% duty on soybeans from September 2025, if the Ukrainian president signs the relevant bill.
Among the top buyers of Ukrainian soybeans in the current season, experts named Turkey (968,600 tons, up 39% from the previous season), Egypt (673,000 tons, down 31%), and the Netherlands (546,000 tons, up 2.7 times).
“In total, in the 2024/25 season, soybean exports from Ukraine could reach about 4.1-4.2 million tons (+26%), which could be a new record for the industry,” APK-Inform concluded.
China will impose additional duties on some imports from the United States, the Customs Duties Committee of the Chinese State Council said Tuesday. Tariffs of 15 percent will be imposed on chicken meat, wheat, corn and cotton, and 10 percent on sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables and dairy products.
The move comes after the U.S. decided to impose additional 10% duties on goods imported from China starting March 4.
The unilateral imposition of tariffs by the United States undermines the multilateral trading system, increases the burden on U.S. enterprises and consumers, and damages the foundation of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, the committee said in a statement quoted by Xinhua news agency.
China has also placed 15 U.S. companies on the export control list. They include Leidos, Gibbs&Cox, IP Video Market Info, Shield AI, Group W, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and General Dynamics’ unit General Dynamics Land Systems.
Also included on the list of untrustworthy entities are 10 U.S. companies, which will prohibit them from engaging in China-related imports or exports and making new investments in the country. The names are TCOM, Stick Rudder Enterprises, Teledyne Brown Engineering (a unit of Teledyne Technologies), Huntington Ingalls Industries, S3 AeroDefense, Cubic Corp., TextOre, ACT1 Federal, Exovera and Planate Management Group. Last month, fashion brand owner PVH Corp. and biotech company Illumina Inc. made the list.
