On March 20, Kyiv hosted the industry conference Soybean Market 2026, bringing together key market players — producers, traders, processors, analysts, and government representatives. The discussions were intense: today, the soybean sector is influenced not only by economic factors, but also by geopolitics, shifts in global trade, and domestic regulatory decisions.
At the same time, market participants agree that soybeans remain a strategic crop for Ukraine — both in terms of exports and agronomy.
“Today, soybeans are a crop influenced by far more factors than just price or yield. We see how geopolitics, tariffs, and global competition reshape the rules of the game each season. At the same time, its key advantage remains unchanged: soybeans do not require nitrogen for cultivation and even improve soil fertility, which is especially important amid the sharp increase in fertilizer prices caused by the war in the Middle East. However, domestic decisions, including export tariffs, are forcing even some large producers to reduce soybean acreage,” emphasized Antonina Skliarenko, President of the Ukraine Pulse and Soybean Association.
From the government side, the key message was high market volatility alongside a positive medium-term trend.
“Soybeans are affected by many factors, and we will continue to see price fluctuations. I am confident that despite these challenges, the trend of consolidation and growth will persist in the medium term. We already recorded a historic production record in 2024 — 6.3 million tonnes, compared to 5.6 million tonnes in the previous season. Around 2 million hectares were sown in 2025, and even given the difficulty of forecasting under geopolitical instability, preliminary estimates suggest that in 2026 the area is unlikely to fall below this level,” said Taras Vysotskyi, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine.
Phytosanitary requirements and the opening of new export destinations remain an important factor for access to external markets.
“The electronic phytosanitary certification system has effectively proven its efficiency — we are not receiving significant complaints from business. At the same time, we are open to cooperation: if there are requests to open new markets, we are ready to work together. This is a complex and lengthy process, as it was, for example, with opening the Chinese market for peas. But through cooperation between the government, business, and the Ukraine Pulse and Soybean Association, we can achieve results,” stressed Serhii Tkachuk, Head of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection.
The analytical block confirmed that the 2026/27 season will be one of the most challenging for Ukrainian exporters.
“Ukrainian soybeans account for less than 2% of global production, yet this ‘soybean mouse’ still finds its place in the global market. Traditionally, our key markets have been the EU, Turkey, and Egypt, but this season the situation has changed. In the first half of the year alone, exports have already declined by 40%. The reasons are complex: lower production, the introduction of a 10% export tariff, and intensified competition, primarily from the United States. This creates additional pressure on Ukrainian exporters,” said Viktoriia Blazhko, Head of Analytics and Content at ASAP Agri.
At the same time, agribusiness emphasizes that despite the challenges, Ukraine maintains strong positions in certain segments.
“The soybean market should be viewed through two paradigms — GMO and non-GMO. And it is precisely in the non-GMO segment that Ukraine is effectively a leader. Our position here should not be underestimated. As for GMO soybeans, the situation is more complex, but we still have stable markets such as Egypt and Turkey. Moreover, Ukraine has a logistical advantage: many Turkish ports are not deep-water ports, making deliveries from Ukraine more efficient compared to distant suppliers,” said Andrii Shafran, Director of Infrastructure and Logistics at Continental Farmers Group.
The European market, in turn, demonstrates stable demand for Ukrainian products — provided quality standards are met.
“Ukrainian soybeans have high-quality characteristics and are fully suitable for the European market. High protein content, proper cleanliness, and sufficient oil content make them competitive. Another important factor is that they are non-GMO, which significantly increases their attractiveness for European consumers and processors,” said Cesare Ramponi, Export Commercial Director at APSOV Sementi.
A separate discussion block focused on processing development, which is still constrained by domestic imbalances.
“Today, the state and international partners offer grant programs and equipment cost compensation for processing development. However, this is not accompanied by support for domestic consumption. In fact, we are stimulating investment without creating a sales market. Ukraine lacks livestock development programs, which are the main consumers of processed products, and this creates an imbalance for the sector,” emphasized Halyna Matviichuk, Co-owner and Commercial Director of the Liubaretskyi Soybean Processing Plant.
Participants agreed that the future of Ukraine’s soybean market will depend on its ability to balance domestic policy, global competition, and the crop’s natural agronomic advantages. These factors will determine whether Ukraine can not only maintain but also strengthen its position on the global market.
The event confirmed its role as a platform for professional dialogue amid high market volatility. The Soybean Marketconference will become an annual industry event, with the next meeting scheduled for 2027.