Seeds exports up by 30% in Jan-Sep 2020 – expert

Exports of seeds of grain and oil crops from Ukraine in January-September 2020 grew to US$16.5 million, which was 30% up against US$12.7 million reported year-over-year (y-o-y).

"These are the best indicators over the past decade," the press service of the National Scientific Center "Institute of Agrarian Economics" quoted Doctor of Economics Oleksandr Zakharchuk as saying on December 8.

In the structure of Ukrainian seeds exports, corn traditionally dominated, as its shipments abroad over the nine months of 2020 in monetary terms totaled US$12.2 million, which accounted for about 74% of all exports.

Read alsoUkrainian farmers gather 95% of grain harvestCIS countries were the major buyers of this type of seed this year. In particular, Belarus bought 5,900 tonnes of corn worth US$8 million, while Moldova – 400 tonnes worth US$900,000.

Romania, an EU member state, boosted this year's imports of Ukrainian corn seeds ten-fold, up to 600 tonnes worth US$1.4 million.

Over the period under review, wheat seeds exports stood at 1,400 tons worth US$800,000. Major buyers were Moldova and Israel.

At the same time, sunflower seed exports reached 199 tonnes worth US$1 million.

Background

On April 9, the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club Association (UCAB) said the European Commission had recognized Ukraine's equivalence as regards field inspections and production of cereal seeds.

According to the Seed Association of Ukraine, the potential of Ukrainian seed exports is reaching US$100 million, while the share of shipments to the EU may grow to 10% from almost zero.