Ukraine in 2021 increased the export of rapeseeds in monetary terms by 67.8% compared to 2020 – to $1.69 billion, but reduced soybeans by 12%, to $610 million, according to the generalized statistics posted on the website of the State Customs Service.
Total exports of products from group No. 12 of the Ukrainian classification of goods for foreign economic activity “Seeds and fruits of oil plants; other seeds, fruits and grains; technical or medicinal plants; straw and fodder” last year increased by 32.2% compared to 2020 – to $2.44 billion.
During this period, Ukraine also exported flax seeds for $17.4 million (an increase of 2.3 times), oilseeds for sowing for $14.8 million (down 16.6%), oilseeds for medicine and perfumery for $20.6 million (up 12.3%).
The largest part of the revenue in this group of goods was generated by the export of rapeseeds (69.3%) and soybeans (25%).
In 2021, Ukraine increased imports of goods from group No. 12 by 16% compared to 2020 – up to $450 million. In particular, imports of sunflower seeds amounted to $244 million (down 40%), rapeseeds – $71.2 million (growth by 2 times), oil seeds for sowing – $58.9 million (up 7.6%), peanuts – $41.1 million (up 5.6%).
Thus, over the past year, Ukraine’s surplus from trade in goods of group No. 12 amounted to $1.99 billion, which is 36.5% more than in 2020.
Trade in these goods in 2021 became the sixth direction for Ukraine in terms of foreign exchange earnings after trading in ferrous metals (total sales of $13.96 billion), grains ($12.35 billion), ore ($7.13 billion), vegetable oils and fats and those of animal origin ($7.05 billion), electrical equipment and machinery ($3.09 billion).
Alfa Smart Agro has been audited and received an ISCC certificate for the supply of corn and rapeseeds to the EU as raw materials for biofuel, the company has said.
According to a press release, Alfa Smart Agro received the ISCC certificate in a FGP status (first gathering point) and as a trader in rapeseeds and corn.
“Certification for compliance with the ISCC requirements opens up for Alfa Smart Agro the opportunity to supply corn and rapeseeds as raw material for biofuel production to EU countries,” the company noted.
Alfa Smart Agro noted that during the audit, it is not the product itself that is certified, but the process and chain through which it is produced, stored and delivered to the EU markets. Land use is estimated, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions and other indicators are taken into account.
Alfa Smart Agro is a manufacturer of plant protection agents and micronutrients.
Exports of Ukrainian rapeseeds in the 2018/19 agricultural year would reach some 2.5 million tonnes, which is 19% more than a year ago, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has said.
According to an annual report for oilseeds and food of the USDA, in 2016/17 agri-year Ukraine exported around 1 million tonnes of rapeseeds, which is 28% less than a year ago. Over 92% of it was exported to the European Union (EU).
According to the report, from July 2017 through January 2018, the trend has changed, and exports reached 2 million tonnes, which is almost 21% more year-over-year. The EU remained the key consumer and bought almost 1.7 million tonnes (92% of total exports). The EU would remain the main buyer of the new season.
According to the report, EXW prices of rapeseeds in 2018/19 agri-year exceeded FOB prices in the ports of the Black Sea.
