September 10, 2025
Ukrainian group says document confusion stalls rapeseed and soybean exports
The introduction of a 10% duty on Ukraine's rapeseed and soybean exports has virtually halted the country's exports due to a lack of clear government procedures for the documents required for shipment, according to the Ukrainian Agrarian Council (UAC).
UAC is the country's largest food producers union.
The Ukrainian parliament passed a bill in July imposing the duty on exports of the two oilseed crops with the aim of increasing domestic processing volumes and boosting revenue for a state budget strained by the war with Russia.
Ukraine's grain traders union Ukrainian Grain Association (UGA) and the UAC opposed the decision.
"As of September 5, exports have been completely halted. With a 10% duty, it is possible (to export), but ships are waiting in ports because the shipments contain mixed products from both producers and traders," UAC said in a statement.
Exports are not subject to duty if the producer sells its own rapeseed and soybean products.
"The problem lies in the lack of a clear procedure for documenting the origin of products grown by agricultural producers or cooperatives themselves," the union said.
Ukraine is a major European producer of rapeseed and soybeans and has already harvested rapeseed, the export of which is most active in the first months of autumn.
- Global Banking & Finance
