In July 2025-February 2026, Ukraine retained its position as the leading supplier of sunflower oil to the European Union and provided almost 92% of the total imports of this product by the bloc’s countries, according to the specialized publication OFI Magazine, citing data from the European Commission.
According to a report by the German Union for the Promotion of Plants and Proteins (UFOP), in the first seven months of the 2025-2026 marketing year (MY, July-June), the EU-27 countries imported a total of just under 1.04 million tons of sunflower oil. Despite its leadership, the total import figure decreased compared to the same period last year, when it amounted to 1.28 million tons.
According to UFOP estimates, the annual sunflower harvest in Ukraine decreased from 13 million tons in 2024 to 10.5 million tons in 2025, as the decline in harvest led to a reduction in processing volumes and limited sunflower oil exports.
Researchers at Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft also noted significant pressure from Russian attacks on infrastructure and port facilities, which complicated oil logistics.
Market observers, in turn, noted the stabilization of sunflower oil export flows despite security risks.
Moldova (5% of the market) and Serbia (less than 2%) ranked second and third among suppliers. Moldova showed an increase in supplies, while Serbia lagged significantly behind the previous year’s level.
Electricity imports to Ukraine in February 2026 increased by 41% compared to January and reached 1,262.8 thousand MWh, which is a new monthly import record since the launch of the new electricity market, according to the DIXI Group analytical center, citing data from Energy Map.
“For comparison: in February 2025, imports amounted to 244.2 thousand MWh, which is five times less than in the reporting month,” the center said.
At the same time, there have been no electricity exports for three months in a row.
As noted by DIXI Group, Ukraine’s energy system remained under significant pressure last month. Frosty weather kept electricity consumption high, while Russian attacks caused significant damage to power generation facilities, high-voltage substations, and electricity transmission and distribution networks, creating a situation of chronic power shortages in the energy system, which at times reached 5-6 GW.
Six massive attacks were recorded during the month (more than 60 in total since the start of the full-scale war). After the attacks on February 7 and 26, in particular, Ukrainian nuclear power plants were forced to partially reduce their output, which complicated the balancing of the system and increased the need for imports.
According to DIXI Group, Hungary accounted for the largest share of imports in February – 49%, or 618.0 thousand MWh. Romania accounted for 19% of the resources provided to the country (240.6 thousand MWh), Slovakia – 18% (227.1 thousand MWh), Poland – 13% (159.4 thousand MWh), and Moldova – 1% (17.7 thousand MWh).
Electricity purchases increased in all supply directions – by 18-54% depending on the country.
As the center reminded, since January this year, the capacity limit for imports from EU countries to Ukraine and Moldova has been 2.45 GW, which is a record level for the entire period of Ukraine’s synchronization with the continental European network ENTSO-E (the previous maximum for the Ukraine-Moldova block was 2.15 GW). Taking into account that part of the imported capacity is directed to Moldova, Ukraine has access to about 2.1 GW of commercial imports.
On average, during February, the use of available capacity was 89.5% of the accepted nominal value of 2.1 GW.
“Thus, in February 2026, Ukraine remained a net importer of electricity for the fifth month in a row, and import volumes reached a historic high amid escalating Russian shelling and seasonal growth in consumption,” DIXI Group concluded.
As reported, the key factor contributing to the increase in electricity imports to Ukraine and, at the same time, the price jump on the day-ahead market (DAM) was the increase by the National Commission for State Regulation in Energy and Utilities upper price limits (price caps) on short-term market segments starting January 18, 2026.
At an extraordinary meeting on January 16, the National Energy Regulator set the maximum price limit for electricity on the day-ahead market (DAM) and intraday market (IDM) at UAH 15,000/MWh throughout the day for the period from January 18 to March 31, 2026.
According to ENTSOE data, in February 2026, Ukraine ranked first in terms of the average daily BASE price index on the DAM 21 times (February 1, 4-10, 13-14, 17-18, 20-28) compared to 26 European countries.
At the end of 2025, Ukraine ranked second among 27 European countries in terms of the BASE index on the DAM, which amounted to 5,292.62 UAH/MWh, calculated according to Central European Time (CET).
According to the National Scientific Center “Institute of Agrarian Economics” (IAE), citing data from the State Customs Service, Ukraine increased its imports of agricultural products by 13% compared to 2024, reaching $9.12 billion in 2025.
According to the research institute, EU member states retained their position as the main supplier and provided 53.9% of domestic agri-food imports worth $4.91 billion.
According to the institution, EU member states retained their position as the main supplier for the seventh consecutive year and provided 53.9% of domestic agri-food imports in 2025, worth $4.91 billion, with the value of supplies from the EU increasing by 15% compared to 2024.
According to the IEA, imports from other regions were much lower. Food supplies from Asian countries amounted to $1.635 billion (17.9%), Latin America – $693 million (7.6%), and Africa – $489 million (5.4%). All of them also increased sales of agricultural products for the needs of the Ukrainian domestic market last year.
Since 2017, Poland has held the top spot in the ranking of major suppliers of agricultural products to Ukraine, selling $1.15 billion worth of agricultural goods in 2025, 24% more than in 2024. The top ten exporters also included Germany ($692 million), Turkey ($654 million), Italy ($575 million), the Netherlands ($417 million), Norway ($338 million), France ($317 million), Spain ($314 million), China ($264 million), and the United States ($235 million). In total, these ten countries accounted for 54% of all imports.
In the commodity structure of purchases, 70% of the value was made up of fruits, berries, and nuts ($1 billion), fish and seafood ($999 million), beverages ($870 million), cocoa products ($640 million), food products ($575 million), tobacco products ($493 million), feed ($476 million), coffee and tea ($471 million), vegetables ($467 million), and oilseeds ($418 million).
“Food imports to Ukraine in 2025 reached their highest level in monetary terms since the country gained independence, growing for the third consecutive year amid a full-scale invasion of our state by the Russian Federation. Against the backdrop of a general trend of rising food prices, especially given the significant risks for specialized businesses in Ukraine, the cost of foreign purchases in 2026 is likely to remain high,” concluded Bogdan Dukhnytskyi, a leading researcher at the IAE.
According to the results of 2025, Ukraine imported Polish agri-food products worth EUR 1.2 billion and entered the list of key destinations for Polish exports outside the European Union, reported the Polish online publication agronews.com.pl.
According to the publication, Polish food exports to third countries grew by 3% last year, reaching EUR 14.5 billion, which accounted for 25% of total sales. The main consumers in this segment, apart from Ukraine, were the United Kingdom with EUR 4.4 billion and the United States with EUR 838 million. Meat (EUR 1.6 billion), dairy products (EUR 1.1 billion), and chocolate products (EUR 1 billion) were in the highest demand in markets outside the EU.
According to Polish analysts, the strengthening of the zloty exchange rate, which slightly reduced the price competitiveness of Polish goods, was a restraining factor for further expansion.
At the same time, the European Union remains Poland’s key trading partner, accounting for 75% of all shipments. Exports to the bloc grew by 10% to EUR43.9 billion. Germany was traditionally the main buyer, with EUR14.8 billion. The commodity structure of European supplies was dominated by poultry meat (EUR4.2 billion, +26%), beef (EUR2.7 billion, +37%), and confectionery.
Poland’s total agri-food exports in 2025 set a historic record and reached EUR58.4 billion, allowing the country to maintain a positive trade balance of EUR19.8 billion.
US President Donald Trump announced an increase in previously imposed universal import duties from 10% to 15% on goods supplied to the United States from all countries of the world.
The head of state made the announcement during a speech on trade policy and the protection of national industry. According to him, the decision is aimed at reducing the trade deficit, stimulating domestic production, and bringing jobs back to the American economy.
As Trump noted, the tariff increase will be part of a broader strategy of economic protectionism, which includes revising the terms of international trade and strengthening support for American manufacturers. The administration expects that the new measures will increase the competitiveness of domestically produced goods.
Economists warn that the increase in duties could lead to higher prices for imported goods in the US, as well as retaliatory measures from trading partners. Analysts do not rule out increased tension in world trade and additional pressure on global supply chains.
The new tariff rates are expected to come into effect after the necessary administrative procedures have been completed. Business representatives have already expressed concern about the possible increase in the cost of raw materials and components used by American companies.
Earlier, the US administration introduced a base import duty rate of 10%, explaining this by the need to protect the national economy and reduce dependence on foreign supplies.
Ukrainian cheese makers continue to lose market share due to competition from imported products from the EU, despite the trend towards a reduction in external purchases, according to the industry analytical agency Infagro.
According to the report, producers are asking the state for support, in particular through the expansion of cashback programs for domestic cheeses and a review of the tax burden. However, experts assess the chances of significant changes in tax policy or the introduction of import barriers as low.
Analysts consider a more effective step to be the regulation of relations with retail chains to reduce significant retail markups that affect the final cost of products.
According to the agency, cheese imports are currently showing a downward trend in both monthly and annual terms, which is associated with rising prices in Europe and currency fluctuations. It is expected that the volume of foreign purchases will continue to decline.
“Despite the difficult market conditions, Ukrainian producers are in no hurry to lower their base prices. They are probably afraid that retail chains will not respond adequately to lower prices or that it will be difficult to return to previous price levels in the future. At the same time, buyers can already count on significant discounts when purchasing large quantities of products,” Infagro concluded.
