Global markets instead of the EU: how Ukraine reoriented its sugar exports
10 January 05:38
In the 2025 calendar year, Ukraine exported 463,700 tons of sugar worth a total of US$222 million. Despite a reduction in physical volumes of supplies compared to the record year of 2024, the sugar industry maintained a strong presence in foreign markets. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to Ukrtsukor.
Where Ukraine exported sugar
At the end of the year, 73% of Ukrainian sugar was supplied to world markets, and another 27% to European Union countries. For comparison, in 2024, the export ratio was 60% to world markets and 40% to the EU.
The largest buyers of Ukrainian sugar in 2025 were:
- Lebanon — 15% of exports;
- Bulgaria — 14%;
- North Macedonia — 8%;
- Libya — 7%;
- Syria — 6%;
- Turkey — 6%.
Thus, the key destinations remained the countries of the Middle East, the Balkan region, and the Mediterranean.
Why exports have declined
Association Chair Yana Kavushevska noted that in 2025, Ukrainian sugar producers maintained their export activity, but total shipments fell by 38% compared to 2024.
“In 2024, Ukraine set a historic record for sugar exports — 746,000 tons. In 2025, restrictions on supplies to European Union countries became the key factor in the decline,” Kavushevska explained.
Due to the introduction of quotas and regulatory restrictions, sugar exports to the EU in 2025 fell by 59% to 123,000 tons.
Sugar production in Ukraine
Despite the difficult external environment, the industry’s production indicators remain stable. As of December 1, 2025:
- 26 sugar factories belonging to the Ukrtsukor association
- processed 8.36 million tons of sugar beets
- and produced 1.25 million tons of sugar.
Industry experts note that the diversification of export markets and a shift toward countries outside the EU have allowed Ukrainian sugar to maintain its competitive position in the global market even under restrictive conditions.
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