How Ukrainian sugar exports changed in 2025
9 January 18:28
In 2025, Ukraine exported 463,700 tons of sugar worth $222 million. This was reported by the industry association Ukrtsukor, according to Komersant.
Although supply volumes decreased significantly compared to the record year of 2024, the industry maintained high export activity by reorienting sales to non-European markets.
Where did Ukrainian sugar go?
At the end of the year, 73% of exports went to the global market, and only 27% to EU countries. For comparison, in 2024, the ratio was 60% to 40% in favor of third countries and the European Union, respectively.
The largest buyers of Ukrainian sugar were:
- Lebanon — 15%
- Bulgaria — 14%
- North Macedonia — 8%
- Libya — 7%
- Syria — 6%
- Turkey — 6%.
Thus, the Middle East and the Balkans remain key markets for Ukrainian sugar outside the EU.
Why exports have declined
According to Ukrtsukor, sugar exports fell by 38% in 2025 compared to 2024, when Ukraine set a historic record of 746,000 tons.
The head of the association, Yana Kavushevska, explains the decline primarily by restrictions on Ukrainian sugar exports to the European Union. As a result, supplies to EU countries in 2025 fell by 59% to 123,000 tons.
Figures for the year
In the first nine months of 2025, Ukraine exported 298,700 tons of sugar worth $151.9 million. Compared to the same period last year:
- export volumes in tons decreased by more than half (−177,700 tons);
- currency proceeds decreased by $131 million.
