The Ukrainian economy has earned an additional $400 million thanks to advancements in domestic processing, according to the data from the association “Ukroliyaprom.” Previously, rapeseed was exported as a raw commodity. However, over the last season, Ukrainian factories processed a record 1.3 million tons, nearly half of the total harvest. This led to a 2.5-fold increase in the export of processed oil, with currency revenue jumping from $194 million to $588 million. Including other processed products, such as meal, this total exceeds $700 million.
In 2024, a 10% export duty on soybeans and rapeseed was implemented, but this regulation does not affect farmers directly—agricultural producers still hold the right to export their harvest without any duty. The restrictions primarily impact intermediaries and foreign traders, who previously found it easier to export inexpensive seeds and supply their own foreign factories. Now, processing the harvest domestically has become significantly more profitable. As a result, Ukraine is selling products with higher added value, which supports local businesses, preserves jobs, and retains taxes within the country’s budget.
