In the first quarter of 2025, Ukraine's agricultural export sector showed significant growth, with exports of agricultural products reaching 5.4 million tons, valued at $2.1 billion. This figure represents 58% of the country's total exports, which amounted to $3.6 billion during the same period, according to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine.
The top five categories of agricultural exports included corn, sunflower oil, wheat, soybeans, and poultry meat. Corn led the way with exports worth $514 million, amounting to 2.4 million tons. Sunflower oil closely followed, generating $503 million from 441 thousand tons. Wheat exports totaled $254 million, with 1.1 million tons shipped, while soybeans and poultry meat contributed $150 million and $95 million, respectively.
Compared to March 2024, the export value increased by $87 million, reflecting a 4% growth. However, the physical volume of supplies saw a decrease of 1.8 million tons, or 25%, suggesting a shift in the types of products being exported. This change is attributed to the strong performance of more lucrative items such as sunflower oil, soybeans, and poultry meat, as well as an overall rise in agricultural prices.
Average export prices for key goods in March 2025 were reported as follows: corn at $215 per ton, sunflower oil at $1,141, wheat at $225, soybeans at $407, and poultry meat at a notable $2,300 per ton. The favorable price conditions in global markets have contributed significantly to the increased value of Ukrainian agricultural exports.
Moreover, there has been a notable increase in the export of processed agricultural products. For instance, the export of flour products rose by 24% to $29.5 million, while exports of butter skyrocketed by 254% to $9.87 million. Cheese exports also saw a healthy increase of 32%, totaling $5.3 million, which is $1.4 million more than the previous year.
The main trading partners for Ukraine's agricultural products in March 2025 included Turkey, Italy, Spain, Egypt, and the Netherlands. Turkey emerged as the largest importer, accounting for $270.8 million of the total agricultural exports. Italy and Spain followed closely, with imports valued at $171.1 million and $170.4 million, respectively. Egypt and the Netherlands also played significant roles, contributing $162.4 million and $121.6 million to the import figures.
In total, 36 countries imported Ukrainian agricultural products, with each nation purchasing over $10 million worth of goods. This broad international engagement underscores the importance of Ukraine's agricultural sector in the global market.
In a related development, Ukraine's cheese import figures for the first quarter of 2025 also reflected an upward trend. The country imported 10 thousand tons of cheese, marking a 23.5% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The total expenditure on cheese imports reached $60.7 million, which is 23.9% more than the previous year.
Cheese was primarily imported from Poland, which accounted for 45.2% of the total imports. The Netherlands and Germany contributed 8.7% and 8.4%, respectively, to Ukraine's cheese supply. This surge in imports indicates a growing demand for cheese products within the country.
On the export side, Ukrainian cheese exports for the first quarter of 2025 amounted to 3.2 thousand tons, representing a 23.1% increase from the same period last year. In monetary terms, these exports generated $14.7 million, reflecting a 30.1% rise compared to January-March 2024.
The largest buyers of Ukrainian cheese during this period were Moldova and Kazakhstan, each accounting for 34.5% and 34.2% of the exports. Germany also remained a key market, representing 8.4% of the cheese export volume. This diverse export base highlights the competitiveness of Ukrainian cheese in international markets.
As reported in March 2025, global cheese prices experienced a slight decline of 1.8%. Despite this, the outlook for Ukraine's cheese and agricultural exports remains positive, bolstered by the country's strategic partnerships and a focus on high-demand products.
The agricultural sector's resilience and adaptability in the face of fluctuating global market conditions demonstrate its critical role in Ukraine's economy. With continued investment and support, there is potential for further growth and expansion in both domestic and international markets.
