Ukrainian soybeans save Romanian processors: imports have risen to record levels
22 October 14:16
Romania in 2024/25 marketing year may set the historical record of soybean imports. According to EuroStat, in the period from September to July, the country imported about 270 thsd tonnes of soybeans, and this volume already exceeds all previous seasons. This is reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to UkrAgroConsult.
Ukraine has become the main supplier of soybeans to Romania since the beginning of the full-scale war. This demonstrates the growing role of Ukrainian agricultural exports in European food security and energy independence.
Why Romania switched to Ukrainian soybeans
Traditionally, Romania has met its domestic needs for vegetable oils through its own production of sunflower and rapeseed. However, recent droughts have led to a decrease in the availability of local sunflower seeds.
Key factors include:
- reduction of the area under sunflower
- higher purchase prices for local raw materials
- the need for stable supply of processing companies.
As a result, processors are switching to soybeans of Ukrainian origin, which have become more profitable in terms of prices and supply stability.
Imports of soybeans and sunflower oil from Ukraine are growing
Due to the shortage of their own seeds, Romanian companies not only increased imports of soybeans, but also stepped up purchases of Ukrainian crude sunflower oil.
This allows them to maintain the workload of processing plants and support the export of finished products to foreign markets.
The situation with the sunflower harvest in Romania
Official data show that although the sunflower area decreased, higher yields partially compensated for the losses. According to analysts, Romanian sunflower exports this season will be approximately at the level of last year.
The main export destination remains Turkey, which actively imports Romanian oilseeds.
Watch us on YouTube: important topics – without censorship
Situation with the soybean harvest in 2024/25 in Ukraine
According to the latest estimates of the State Statistics Service, this year’s soybean area is 2.08 mln ha, which is 24% less than last year, when the record level was recorded.
The record soybean harvest in 2024/25 affected the price behavior. Soybeans were the cheapest oilseed for the whole season, which led to a decline in interest in its cultivation.
The soybean market entered the new season with a 10% duty on soybean exports. The situation on the joint soybean and rapeseed markets, which are subject to this rule, is similar: exports have virtually stopped.
Until the issue of full exports is resolved, the market is adapting.
The export model has shifted from soybeans to oil and meal, both during the period of the duty (September 4-16 this year) and compared to the same period last year.
What it means for the market
Ukraine is strengthening its position as a strategic supplier of agricultural products to the EU.
Romanian processors may face margin pressure if sunflower oil prices do not rise.
The increase in soybean imports is a signal of structural changes in the oilseed market in Southeast Europe.
Ukraine is turning into a key player in the European oilseeds market, and Romania is becoming one of the main export destinations.
Read us on Telegram: important topics – without censorship
