Ukraine is one of the world’s leading agricultural countries with favorable climatic conditions, fertile soils and great potential for seed production. In recent years, there has been an upward trend in seed exports, especially in the niche and fodder crops segment. At the same time, Ukrainian producers face a number of challenges, such as the need to improve certification procedures, expand markets and invest in processing infrastructure.
The development of the seed industry is strategically important for the country’s economy, as it allows not only to increase export revenues but also to strengthen food security. In this article, we will consider the main opportunities for expanding seed exports in Ukraine, promising crops that are in demand abroad, as well as key challenges and ways to overcome them.
Contents
Current state of seed exports
In 2024, Ukraine continued to increase exports of seed products, especially in the hybrid corn segment. The total volume of seed exports increased to $123 mln, with corn seeds accounting for 96.5% of this amount. This demonstrates the growing confidence of international partners in Ukrainian seed products and opens up new opportunities for domestic farmers in the European market.
It is worth noting that the total exports of Ukrainian agricultural products in 2024 also showed positive dynamics. In the first nine months of the year, the volume of agricultural exports increased by more than a quarter, reaching 48.9 mln tons worth $10.5 bln. This growth was made possible by the resumption of maritime traffic and active support from the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, which promotes the development of the seed industry and creates favorable conditions for exporters.
Amaranth: prospects and opportunities
Amaranth, or shiritsa, is one of the niche crops that is gaining popularity in international markets due to its unique properties. In 2024, about 150 Ukrainian farms were engaged in its cultivation, providing exports worth $600 thousand. Amaranth is used for the production of flour, oil, flakes, bars, as well as animal silage and raw materials for biomethane. Its cultivation can become an important element of Ukraine’s bioenergy strategy.
One of the advantages of this crop is its high resistance to drought and soils unsuitable for other crops, which makes it profitable for cultivation in different regions of Ukraine. In addition, amaranth has a high nutritional value, which contributes to its popularization as a superfood in the European market.
Alfalfa and other fodder crops
Alfalfa and clover are important fodder crops that are in demand in the European Union. In 2024, exports of these crops exceeded 5,000 tons, with the highest demand for Ukrainian alfalfa in Italy, where a specialized hub for its processing has been created.
Alfalfa has a number of advantages, including high yields, the ability to enrich the soil with nitrogen, and a large amount of protein, which makes it an indispensable fodder crop. It is widely used in animal husbandry, especially in dairy farming, which increases its attractiveness for European farmers.
Challenges and ways to overcome them
Despite the significant potential for seed exports, Ukrainian agricultural producers face a number of obstacles. High certification requirements, limited access to international markets, lack of modern infrastructure and investment are the main challenges that need to be addressed comprehensively.
To successfully compete in the global market and ensure stable export growth, it is necessary to implement systemic reforms, establish effective cooperation between the state and business, and adapt Ukrainian seed production to current global trends. Let’s look at the key challenges and possible ways to overcome them.
For large-scale development of seed exports, it is necessary to:
- Establishment of processing cooperatives and industrial parks. Joint processing and logistics will make exports more profitable and competitive. It is also important to build modern infrastructure for seed cleaning, calibration, and packaging.
- Support from the state. The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine has already expressed its readiness to support initiatives that will help producers not only grow but also effectively sell their products on international markets. Tax incentives and government lending programs may become additional factors for the development of the industry.
- Investments in infrastructure. Developing infrastructure for seed storage, processing, and transportation is key to increasing exports. It is also important to improve the mechanisms for certification of products in accordance with European standards, which will increase their competitiveness.
- Expanding international markets. One of the most promising areas is entering the markets of Asia and the Middle East, where demand for environmentally friendly products, including seeds of fodder and niche crops, is growing.
- Educational programs and exchange of experience. An important factor is to increase farmers’ knowledge of modern methods of growing, storing and exporting seeds. Cooperation with European partners will allow us to adopt best practices.
Conclusion
Expanding seed exports in Ukraine has significant potential. Focusing on niche and fodder crops, such as amaranth and alfalfa, could be an important step to strengthen Ukraine’s position on international markets. Addressing existing challenges, active support from the government, building modern infrastructure, and expanding markets will help to successfully realize this potential.
Thus, a comprehensive approach to the development of seed exports will not only increase the country’s economic performance, but also consolidate its status as a reliable supplier of quality seed products in the world.
