In January–August of this year, Ukraine’s exports of processed pig iron decreased by 16.4% in volume terms compared to the same period last year—down to 1,033,034 metric tons from 1,235,648 metric tons.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS), 34 metric tons of pig iron were exported in August, 51,539 metric tons in July, 183,780 metric tons in June, in May—159,378 thousand metric tons; in April—181,670 thousand metric tons; in March—168,493 thousand metric tons; in February—194,345 thousand metric tons; and in January—93,795 thousand metric tons.
From January through August 2026, pig iron exports in monetary terms fell by 15.3% to $413,041 million.
Over the first eight months of this year, the country imported 15 metric tons of pig iron worth $35,000, compared to 38 metric tons worth $76,000 during the same period last year.
As previously reported, in 2025 Ukraine increased its pig iron exports by volume by 53.5% compared to 2024—to 1,980,620 thousand metric tons—and by value by 51.9%, to $759,882 million. Exports were primarily shipped to the United States (68.25% of shipments by value), Italy (20.26%), and Turkey (3.63%).
Last year, the country imported 39 thousand metric tons of pig iron worth $78 thousand from Germany (51.95%) and Brazil (48.05%), while in January–December 2024, 38 metric tons worth $90 thousand were imported.
Starting March 12, 2025, in accordance with a decision by President Donald Trump, a 25% tariff began to be levied on imports of Ukrainian steel products, excluding pig iron.
Sunflower meal exports from Ukraine in the 2026/27 marketing year may increase to 3.3 million metric tons, up from 2.861 million metric tons in the previous season, according to a USDA forecast.
This represents an increase of about 15.3%, according to data from the September report “Oilseeds: World Markets and Trade.”
At the same time, sunflower meal production in Ukraine is expected to reach 5.204 million metric tons, which is approximately 20% higher than the 2025/26 marketing year’s figure of 4.337 million metric tons.
The USDA estimates domestic consumption of sunflower meal at 1.875 million metric tons, compared to 1.675 million metric tons the previous season.
Ukraine will retain its second-place position among the world’s largest sunflower meal exporters, behind Russia. Russian exports are forecast at 2.8 million metric tons, while Ukraine’s figure is higher at 3.3 million metric tons; thus, for this product, Ukraine actually outpaces Russia.
Overall, global sunflower meal exports in the new season may increase from 8.809 million metric tons to 10.404 million metric tons, or by approximately 18%.
The growth in meal production is directly linked to the recovery of sunflower processing and increased oil output in the Black Sea region.
Source: USDA FAS, Oilseeds: World Markets and Trade, September 2026.
In January–August 2026, Ukraine exported 1.64 billion eggs worth a total of $164 million, which is an 18.3% increase in volume and a 37% increase in value compared to the same period in 2025, said Serhiy Karpenko, executive director of the Ukrainian Poultry Farmers’ Union, in an interview with the “Interfax-Ukraine” news agency.
The main buyers of Ukrainian eggs during the first eight months of 2026 were Spain—25.4% of exports—the United Kingdom—13.2%—Poland—8.7%—and the Czech Republic—7.4%. The share of EU countries in exports amounted to 75.9%.
Exports of egg products from January through August 2026 totaled 6.7 thousand metric tons, a 36% increase compared to the same period last year. The main importing countries were Latvia, Poland, and Croatia. The share of EU countries in exports was 76.4%.
According to Karpenko, the top priority markets for further export development are Asian countries, particularly China, the MENA region (the Middle East and North Africa), and ASEAN countries (Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia).
In addition, it is important to open up markets in the United States, South Africa, and Mexico, and to expand exports to EU countries, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq.
As reported, in the first eight months of 2026, Ukraine increased poultry meat exports by 12.5%—to 330,200 metric tons—while foreign exchange earnings from these exports decreased by 2.6%—to $697.9 million. The main buyers were the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Slovakia, and the UAE.
In January–August 2026, Ukraine reduced imports of lead and lead products by 77% compared to the same period last year, down to $1.282 million.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service of Ukraine, imports of lead and lead products in August totaled $98,000.
Exports of lead and lead products in January–August of this year rose by 17.2% to $7.402 million, and in August, they totaled $1.416 million.
As previously reported, in 2025, Ukraine increased its imports of lead and lead products by a factor of 3.3 compared to 2024, reaching $7.801 million. Exports of lead and lead products in 2025 decreased by 17.8% to $9.377 million.
Lead is currently used primarily in the production of lead-acid batteries for the automotive industry. In addition, lead is used in the manufacture of bullets and certain alloys.
In August 2026, Ukrainian exporters increased exports of fresh or chilled beef nearly 25-fold compared to August 2025—to 474 metric tons, while exports of frozen beef rose by 34.2%, to 1,820 metric tons, according to the Milk Producers Association, citing preliminary data from the State Customs Service.
Export revenue from shipments of fresh or chilled beef in August increased 37-fold year-over-year—to $3.95 million—and rose by 44% compared to July. In volume terms, exports increased by 38% compared to the previous month.
In January–August 2026, Ukraine exported 3.04 thousand metric tons of fresh or chilled beef worth $24.36 million. Compared to the same period in 2025, export volumes increased 25-fold, and revenue rose nearly 34-fold.
Exports of frozen beef in August totaled 1.82 thousand metric tons, which is 8% more than in July and 34.2% more than in August 2025. Export revenue from frozen beef rose by 7% compared to July and by 32% compared to August of last year, reaching $8.16 million.
Over the first eight months, Ukraine exported 12,750 metric tons of frozen beef (+1%) worth $57.56 million (+12%).
Exports of live cattle in August totaled approximately 1.32 thousand metric tons, which is 1% more than in July and 31% more than in August 2025. At the same time, revenue from cattle exports fell by 11% compared to July but rose by 30% compared to August 2025, reaching $3.62 million.
In January–August, Ukraine exported 13,470 metric tons of live cattle (+5.9%) worth $32.31 million (+14%).
As for imports, Ukraine did not import any cattle in August. Imports of chilled beef totaled 9 metric tons, which is 40% less than in July 2026 and 40% less than in August 2025. Imports of frozen beef totaled 84 metric tons, down 32% from July but up 38% from August of last year.
In the first eight months of 2026, imports of cattle fell to 93 metric tons (-82%), and imports of frozen beef fell to 754 metric tons (-25%), while imports of chilled beef rose to 99 metric tons (+4%).
The trade balance for these commodity lines in August 2026 was positive, amounting to $14.95 million.
The association also notes that the global beef market is entering a period of declining supply and restructuring of trade flows. According to Rabobank’s estimates, global beef production in 2026 could decline by nearly 2%.
According to Experts.news, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecasts sunflower oil exports from Ukraine in the 2026/27 marketing year at 5 million metric tons, which is nearly 24% higher than the previous season’s figure of 4.036 million metric tons.
According to the USDA’s September report, *Oilseeds: World Markets and Trade*, sunflower oil production in Ukraine is expected to reach 5.418 million metric tons, up from 4.515 million metric tons in the 2025/26 marketing year—an increase of approximately 20%.
At the same time, domestic consumption of sunflower oil is projected to remain relatively stable—470,000 metric tons compared to 455,000 metric tons in the previous season. The USDA estimates ending stocks at 213,000 metric tons, compared to 265,000 metric tons. Thus, most of the increase in production is likely to be directed toward export markets.
Ukraine will remain one of the world’s two largest exporters of sunflower oil. The USDA forecasts exports from Russia at 5.1 million metric tons, Ukraine at 5 million metric tons, Argentina at 2.05 million metric tons, Turkey at 1.1 million metric tons, and the EU at 850,000 metric tons.
The USDA estimates total global sunflower oil exports at 15.968 million metric tons, compared to 13.51 million metric tons in the previous season.
Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, Oilseeds: World Markets and Trade, September 11, 2026.
