EBA calls for the removal of export duty on soybeans and rapeseed

18/ 09/ 2025

The European Business Association urges the Government and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to abolish the export duty on soybeans and rapeseed and to establish a mechanism for reimbursing any duty already paid following the entry into force of Law No. 4536-IX. On 2 September, the President of Ukraine signed Law No. 4536-IX, introducing a 10% export duty on soybeans and rapeseed. The law stipulated that agricultural producers exporting their own produce would be exempt from the duty. However, according to member companies of the EBA’s Grain and Oilseed Committee, in practice, this measure has created a critical situation: Export activities have effectively stalled — ships are idling in ports and shipments are delayed; The exemption mechanism does not function, as there is no clear procedure to confirm “self-grown agricultural produce”; Mixed grain batches cannot be processed efficiently, blocking the entire supply chain; Farmers and exporters incur daily losses, causing the state to lose foreign currency revenues; Trust of international partners is declining; Accumulation of ships in ports creates serious security risks, making port infrastructure potential targets for hostile attacks. The European Business Association has repeatedly stressed the importance of avoiding any restrictive measures on oilseed exports and highlighted the potential negative consequences. Agricultural production and export remain key drivers of the Ukrainian economy. Last year alone, the sector generated $24.7 billion in export revenue, accounting for 59% of total exports. The imposed export duty now creates serious obstacles to the development of the sector, threatening both economic stability and Ukraine’s food security. In addition to economic losses, EBA experts note that the imposed duties contradict Article 31 of the EU–Ukraine Association Agreement, which prohibits any restrictive export measures. Ukraine has established itself as a reliable supplier of agricultural products to the EU. Ensuring uninterrupted export of grains and oilseeds is critical to supporting farmers during the war and in the post-war period. However, the introduction of export duties undermines international partners’ trust, reduces the sector’s investment attractiveness, and signals instability in the rules of the game. The European Business Association has already sent an official letter to the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yuliia Svyrydenko, the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, as well as relevant ministries and parliamentary committees, urging support for Ukrainian farmers by removing restrictions on oilseed exports and establishing a legal procedure to reimburse export duties on soybeans and rapeseed paid by agricultural producers after the entry into force of Law No. 4536-IX.

On 2 September, the President of Ukraine signed Law No. 4536-IX, introducing a 10% export duty on soybeans and rapeseed. The law stipulated that agricultural producers exporting their own produce would be exempt from the duty.

However, according to member companies of the EBA’s Grain and Oilseed Committee, in practice, this measure has created a critical situation:

Export activities have effectively stalled — ships are idling in ports and shipments are delayed;
The exemption mechanism does not function, as there is no clear procedure to confirm “self-grown agricultural produce”;
Mixed grain batches cannot be processed efficiently, blocking the entire supply chain;
Farmers and exporters incur daily losses, causing the state to lose foreign currency revenues;
Trust of international partners is declining;
Accumulation of ships in ports creates serious security risks, making port infrastructure potential targets for hostile attacks.

The European Business Association has repeatedly stressed the importance of avoiding any restrictive measures on oilseed exports and highlighted the potential negative consequences.

Agricultural production and export remain key drivers of the Ukrainian economy. Last year alone, the sector generated $24.7 billion in export revenue, accounting for 59% of total exports. The imposed export duty now creates serious obstacles to the development of the sector, threatening both economic stability and Ukraine’s food security.

In addition to economic losses, EBA experts note that the imposed duties contradict Article 31 of the EU–Ukraine Association Agreement, which prohibits any restrictive export measures.

Ukraine has established itself as a reliable supplier of agricultural products to the EU. Ensuring uninterrupted export of grains and oilseeds is critical to supporting farmers during the war and in the post-war period. However, the introduction of export duties undermines international partners’ trust, reduces the sector’s investment attractiveness, and signals instability in the rules of the game.

The European Business Association has already sent an official letter to the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yuliia Svyrydenko, the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, as well as relevant ministries and parliamentary committees, urging support for Ukrainian farmers by removing restrictions on oilseed exports and establishing a legal procedure to reimburse export duties on soybeans and rapeseed paid by agricultural producers after the entry into force of Law No. 4536-IX.