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.
