UCAB

Ukraine exported 29.81 thousand tonnes of honey worth $69 million in the first eight months of 2026.

As of mid-September 2026, Ukraine continues to actively use tariff quotas for supplies of agri-food products to the European Union.

The resilience of Ukraine’s agricultural sector has become an example for European partners, as it is based on unprecedented adaptability to change and flexibility in decision-making.

The area under winter crops for the 2027 harvest will most likely be smaller than during the 2026 sowing campaign. Under an adverse scenario, the reduction could reach up to 1.0 million hectares.

Exports of the main groups of agri-food products from Ukraine amounted to around 2.15 million tonnes, which is 41.5% less than in July, when 3.67 million tonnes were exported.

Today, Ukraine marks the 35th anniversary of its independence and, along with it, 35 years of development of its agri-food sector. Over this period, the industry has transformed from the collective and state farm system into an agricultural business sector, becoming one of the largest players on the global market.

Ukraine confidently maintains its status as one of the world’s leading honey exporters despite the challenges of the full-scale war, logistical difficulties and the European Union’s reintroduction of tariff quotas.

In July 2026, Ukraine exported 3.67 million tonnes of agricultural products, which is 23.4% less than in the previous month.

Exporting Ukrainian grain via alternative routes inevitably increases logistics costs. Freight rates at Danube ports have more than doubled over the past month and continue to rise.

Over the past few weeks, the security situation around Ukrainian seaports has significantly deteriorated. According to the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, in the first two weeks of July alone, Russia carried out 23 strikes on Ukrainian ports and 17 attacks on civilian vessels. Over the past week, freight rates have nearly doubled to $40+ per metric ton.

As of early July, Ukraine is actively utilizing tariff quotas for exports of agri-food products to the European Union.

In June, Ukraine officially opened negotiations with the European Union under the first negotiating cluster, Fundamentals. There are hopes that all negotiating clusters will be opened by the end of the summer, including the one covering the agricultural sector — Cluster 5, which encompasses agricultural policy, food safety, and fisheries.

The European Union has already set the course for its future development—climate neutrality, energy security, and a competitive economy have become specific strategic goals enshrined in the European Green Deal, REPowerEU, RED III, and other initiatives.

Ukraine’s EU membership requires the adaptation of livestock farming to stricter standards for product safety, animal welfare and environmental regulations. At the same time, the changes and innovations that agricultural producers will have to implement on farms will help raise production standards and expand export opportunities for Ukrainian products.

Ukraine will benefit from the earliest possible start of negotiations with the European Union in the agricultural sector.

The late spring crops sowing campaign is in its final stage, and the sowing rate is gradually decreasing.