In September, Ukraine will cut barley exports by more than half due to a reduction in Chinese purchases of the crop, according to the analytical cooperative Pusk, created within the framework of the All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council (AAC).
“The Ukrainian barley market is undergoing significant changes that affect export prospects. As of August 19, exports of this grain reached 315 thsd tonnes, but preliminary forecasts for September are worrying. The volume of contracts for August is 600 thousand tons, while only 280 thousand tons are contracted for September. This is almost half as much,” analysts said.
In their opinion, the main reason for the future decline in exports is the decrease in demand from China, which previously provided more than half of Ukraine’s barley exports.
“The Chinese factor plays a significant role here, as China used to account for 55-56% of the geographical structure of Ukrainian barley exports. China is not expected to return to the Ukrainian grain as actively, but will probably switch to Australian barley, which will be delivered in December-January. Without Chinese contracts, monthly exports of Ukrainian barley will not exceed 300 thousand tons,” the experts explained.
They pointed out that the decline in demand from China is already beginning to be felt in the domestic market. A number of traders stop accepting barley, switching to other crops such as corn.
At the same time, they point to a significant correlation between barley and wheat markets and predict that the expected rise in wheat prices will also contribute to the growth of barley prices.
“The notional barley prices are still in the range of $170-172 per ton. We can expect that the wheat market will pull up the barley market. So, by the end of August and beginning of September, there may be a certain increase in barley prices. But starting in September, barley may become a more niche crop,” Pusk summarized.
During the first year of operation of the Ukrainian Sea Corridor, 64.4 million tons of cargo were transported, including 43.5 million tons of grain.
At the same time, 2,379 vessels used the “sea corridor” during this period, exporting products to 46 countries, the press service of the Ministry of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure (Ministry of Reconstruction) reported on Friday.
“A strategic necessity for our country, which, despite all the risks, has shown its own alternative shipping route, is another step towards victory over Russia. Summarizing the results of the first year of operation of the temporary sea route, we thank those who made it possible – the Security and Defense Forces and civilian fleet workers,” the Ministry’s press service said on Facebook.
On August 16, 2023, the first vessel to use the sea route, commonly known as the “Ukrainian Corridor,” was the German container ship JOSEPH SHULTE, which had been blocked in the port of Odesa since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Ministry’s press service reminded.
According to the infographics of the Sea Ports Authority, in the second month of the corridor’s operation in September 2023, only 245 thousand tons of cargo were exported, including 34 thousand tons of grain, but in October the cargo turnover reached 1.4 million tons (582 thousand tons of grain cargo), in November – 2.9 million tons (1.14 million tons), in December – 4.9 million tons (1.89 million tons). In January 2024, cargo turnover reached 4.44 million tons (1.87 million tons of grain), in February – 5.2 million tons (2.65 million tons), in March – 5.14 million tons (2.57 million tons), in April – 5, 1 million tons (2.59 million tons), in May – 5.04 million tons (2.24 million tons), in June – 3.67 million tons (1.89 million tons), in July – 3.45 million tons (2 million tons), for two weeks of August – 1.73 million tons (938 thousand tons). t). t).
“The best greeting to the anniversary will be further development and support of the maritime infrastructure. This year, container traffic to the ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk has been restored. Further plans are to restore ferry service to seaports and involve seaports in the Mykolaiv region as soon as the security situation allows,” the Ministry of Reconstruction said in a statement.
Earlier, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy, Captain Dmytro Pletenchuk, told Freedom TV channel that 2300 vessels used the grain sea corridor over the year and transported more than 60 million tons of cargo.
According to him, the “grain corridor” is actively used by European countries, with Spain and the countries of the global South leading the way.
Ukrainian honey producers have strengthened their positions in the global honey market over the past 10 years and increased export volumes in the period from 2012 to 2023 by more than five times, the press service of the Ukrainian Club of Agrarian Business (UCAB) said.
“In 2024, Ukrainian honey, despite the difficulties of a full-scale war, continues to demonstrate a steady positive dynamics in the world market. For the first three months of this year, honey exports amounted to more than 23 thousand tons, which in money equivalent is $44 million. The greatest demand is constantly observed in the countries of the European Union, in particular in Germany, Poland and France, which account for almost half of foreign currency earnings,” – said analysts.
According to their information, Ukraine has been in the top 5 world exporters of honey for several years. Thus, according to the results of 2023 Ukraine in honey exports takes the fourth place among the traditional world leaders with 55.4 thousand tons. In this rating it is ahead of China with 152.6 thousand tons, India – 98.7 thousand tons, Argentina – 68.9 thousand tons, and on the fifth position is Brazil with 28.5 thousand tons of honey.
In January-June 2024, the clients of the Organic Standard certification company set a record and exported 75.34 thousand tons of organic products, which is 32.3% more than in the same period in 2023, the company’s press service reported on its Facebook page.
According to the report, Ukraine exported 56.954 million tons in the first six months of 2023, 47.863 million tons in 2022, and 32.354 million tons in 2021.
“These figures are not just statistics. They reflect the steady growth of Ukrainian organic products on international markets. Step by step, thanks to high quality and strict adherence to international standards, our customers are confidently strengthening their positions in the world,” the company said.
This result was achieved due to the consistently high quality of products, confirmed by certification according to international standards, and the growing demand for organic products, Organic Standard summarized.
Organic Standard LLC is the first Ukrainian certification body that inspects and certifies organic production. It was established in 2007 as part of the Ukrainian-Swiss project “Organic Certification and Development of the Organic Market in Ukraine”.
As of August 12, Ukraine exported 4.962 mln tonnes of grains and pulses since the beginning of the 2024-2025 marketing year (MY, July-June), up 58.9% compared to the same period a year earlier, the press service of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine reported, citing data from the State Customs Service.
According to the report, in August, 1.26 million tons were exported, which is 48.6% more than last year. In terms of crops, since the beginning of the current season, Ukraine has exported 2.273 mln tonnes of wheat (1.25 mln tonnes in 2023/24 MY), 739 thsd tonnes of barley (385 thsd tonnes), 0.3 thsd tonnes of rye (0.6 thsd tonnes), and 1.932 mln tonnes of corn (1.481 mln tonnes).
The total export of Ukrainian flour since the beginning of the season as of August 12 is estimated at 6.3 thsd tonnes (in 2023/24 MY – 14.9 thsd tonnes), including 5.7 thsd tonnes of wheat (14.3 thsd tonnes).
In January-July this year, Ukraine’s steelmaking companies increased their revenues from ferrous metal exports by 8% year-on-year to $1 billion 750.101 million.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS) on Friday, ferrous metals accounted for 7.73% of total revenues from exports of goods during this period, compared to 7.44% in January-July 2023.
In July, revenues from exports of ferrous metals amounted to $285.516 million, while in the previous month – $246.040 million.
At the same time, Ukraine increased imports of similar products by 21.8% to $875.262 million in the first seven months of this year. In July, the country imported products worth $141.632 million.
In addition, in January-July 2024, Ukraine reduced exports of metal products by 1.2% to $554.166 million. In July, they were exported for $77.108 million.
Imports of metal products increased by 41.2% to $611.305 million during this period. In July, these products were imported for $85.344 million.
As reported earlier, in 2023, Ukraine’s steelmaking companies reduced revenues from exports of ferrous metals by 41.59% compared to 2022, to $2 billion 647.722 million, with ferrous metals accounting for 7.32% of total revenues from exports of goods during this period, while in 2022 the share was 10.26%. At the same time, in 2023, Ukraine increased imports of similar products by 37% to $1 billion 307.046 million.
In addition, last year, Ukraine reduced exports of metal products by 16.6% year-on-year to $877.916 million. At the same time, imports of metal products increased by 40.3% to $902.565 million during this period.
In 2022, Ukraine decreased revenues from ferrous metal exports by 67.5% compared to 2021, to $4 billion 533.088 million. During this period, ferrous metals accounted for 10.26% of total revenues from exports of goods, compared to 20.49% in 2021. At the same time, in 2022, Ukraine reduced imports of similar products by 38.3% to $954.387 million.
In addition, in 2022, Ukraine reduced exports of metal products by 18.6% to $1 billion 52.512 million. Imports of metal products fell by 42.9% to $643.162 million over the year.
