Ukraine to import seeds mainly from EU and US in 2024

This was reported by the National Research Center “Institute of Agrarian Economics”, according to Ukrinform.

“Ukraine imported grain, oilseed, sugar beet and vegetable seeds worth a total of $381.3 million. The majority of these supplies – 52.5% – came from EU member states, which sold Ukrainian farmers seeds worth more than $200 million. The United States accounted for 19% of imports, worth a total of $72.6 million,” the report states.

Sunflower seeds accounted for 81.5% (17.4 thousand tons) of Ukraine's oilseed imports, along with 4.1 thousand tons of rapeseed and 0.7 thousand tons of soybeans. In total, grain and oilseed crops accounted for 80% of all seed imports to Ukraine, with sunflower seeds accounting for 55% of their total value. Last year, Ukraine spent $211.1 million solely on sunflower seeds.

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The largest volumes of sunflower seeds were supplied by the USA (5.5 thousand tons worth $72.5 million, or 34.3%) and Turkey (7.9 thousand tons worth $85.7 million, or 40.6%). Smaller volumes came from France (1.9 thousand tons worth $24.8 million, or 11.7%), Italy (0.6 thousand tons worth $4.7 million, or 2.2%) and Hungary (0.4 thousand tons worth $5 million, or 2.4%).

In 2024, only 10% of Ukraine's total seed imports, equivalent to $41.4 million, were allocated to corn seeds. France was the leading supplier, providing 2.7 thousand tons worth $19.8 million (47.8%). Other significant suppliers were Romania (1.7 thousand tons worth $6.4 million, 15.5%), Austria (1.6 thousand tons worth $7.5 million, 18.1%) and Hungary (1.1 thousand tons worth $3.9 million, 9.5%), with smaller contributions from Germany (68 tons worth $1 million) and Italy (131 tons worth $0.4 million).

Soybean seed imports totaled $2.9 million, with Canada being the main source, supplying 270 tonnes (38% of total imports). Additional suppliers included Austria (186 tonnes), Romania (119 tonnes) and France (89 tonnes).

Rapeseed imports increased significantly compared to the previous year, reaching $45.2 million. The main supplier was Germany, which exported 1.7 thousand tons worth $17.6 million (38.9%), followed by France (1.1 thousand tons worth $12.4 million, 27.4%), Spain (0.9 thousand tons worth $11.7 million, 25.9%) and, for the first time, New Zealand, which supplied 209 tons worth $1.9 million.

Imports of niche seeds, including sorghum, flax, hemp and mustard, continue to increase. The main suppliers of these seeds are the European Union countries, in particular France, Germany and Denmark.

According to scientists, access to seeds from leading global producers allows the Ukrainian breeding and seed industry to compete effectively in international markets, paving the way for future development and expansion into Europe and America.

As reported, in January-February 2025, corn became Ukraine's most exported commodity.