Main points
- Ukraine is experiencing a shortage of buckwheat due to last year's poor harvest.
- The only supplier capable of meeting demand is Russia.
There is a shortage of buckwheat in Ukraine. The fact is that last year's harvest was insufficient.
What is happening with buckwheat in Ukraine?
At the same time, the only supplier that could meet demand is Russia, as stated by Serhiy Gromovy, executive director of the International Buckwheat Association.
At the same time, Russian buckwheat can still be sold in domestic stores, but under the guise of Kazakh groats.
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Demand for the product in Ukraine is not increasing, but the harvest is smaller. The worst one was recorded in 2019. And last year's is close to it in terms of volume.
So this is the worst indicator in the last 25 years, if you don't take 2019 into account,
– said Sergey Gromovy.
In particular, Russia, China, and Ukraine are three countries that exported buckwheat, while other countries were importers. Now the only exporter in the world is Russia.
Currently, Ukraine has almost no capacity of its own for export. And in China, imports exceed exports.
The same Chinese buckwheat is of different quality. Our consumers will not eat it – it is bitter,
– explained Gromovyi.
However, buckwheat from Russia can still enter Ukraine – through the free trade agreement between Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Under the guise of Kazakh buckwheat, Russian buckwheat will enter from there. Kazakhstan borders the Altai Krai, which grows 50% of Russian buckwheat. In previous years, four new factories were built on the border on the Kazakh side.
Russians import grain there, process it – and it becomes Kazakh,
– the head of the Association explained.
From 2016 to 2022, Russia actually controlled the Ukrainian buckwheat market . At the same time, supplies of Russian-Kazakh buckwheat will be able to keep prices for cereals in Ukraine from rising sharply.
The price, of course, will increase slightly and stabilize at certain points of economic profit for importers and the ability of our consumers to buy buckwheat for 80, 90 or 60 hryvnias,
– said Gromovyi.
But the situation in the industry remains difficult due to a lack of finances. Therefore, this year's harvest may also be insufficient.
The authorities have moved away from influencing niche crops, in particular buckwheat. At one time in 2020, the Association lobbied for a Cabinet resolution – producers were subsidized, the situation stabilized after the 2019 crop failure. This Cabinet resolution is in effect this year,
– noted Serhiy Gromovyi.
Pay attention! If the government had invested money to support buckwheat growers, the situation would not be so catastrophic. But now price swings are expected.
Recall that the average consumer price of buckwheat in Ukraine in December 2025 was 44.88 hryvnia per kilogram. This was reported by the State Statistics Service of Ukraine.
In annual terms, the price of cereals increased by 27.5 percent – back in December 2024, its average price was 35.19 hryvnia per kilogram. In particular, the price increase has been ongoing every month , since April 2024.
Note! In December 2025, the price was 5.5% higher than in November (42.55 hryvnias).
What else should you know about buckwheat?
- At the same time, Russia harvested its lowest buckwheat harvest since 2019. In 2025, it decreased by 35% to 788 thousand tons.
- The main reason is low prices. A ton of buckwheat costs 23-24 thousand rubles, and buckwheat groats – 16 thousand rubles. Therefore, growing buckwheat is extremely unprofitable.