In February 2024, Ukraine saw a notable uptick in the export of agricultural products, marking a 3.4% increase compared to January, totaling 8 million tons. However, logistical challenges posed delays for some shipments, with a portion of goods still awaiting border clearance.
The export dynamics for various crop categories are as follows:
- Grain crops experienced a significant surge, rising by 9% to 5.8 million tons. Corn constituted 53% of this volume, followed by wheat at 44%, and barley at 4%.
- Conversely, oilseed crops witnessed a decline of 22%, totaling 599.3 thousand tons. This drop was primarily attributed to reductions in soybeans (54%), rapeseed (41%), and sunflower (4%).
- Vegetable oils saw a minor decrease of 3%, amounting to 646.1 thousand tons. Sunflower oil comprised the majority at 93%, with soybean oil at 4%, and rapeseed oil at 2%.
- Cakes resulting from oil extraction recorded a decrease of 7%, reaching 551.7 thousand tons, predominantly driven by reductions in sunflower (90%) and soybean (10%).
- Other agricultural products experienced a modest 2% decline, totaling 382.5 thousand tons.
While grain exports demonstrated resilience, the export of oil crops notably decreased, chiefly due to reduced available volumes, particularly in rapeseed.
The disruption caused by the Polish border strike significantly impacted export figures, resulting in decreased shipments and additional challenges for Ukrainian farmers.
The timely receipt of funds from agricultural sales is crucial for farmers, especially ahead of the spring sowing season. It enables them to conduct quality work, ensuring a steady food supply for Ukraine and other nations.