Wheat is getting more expensive: what is happening with grain prices in Ukraine

The agricultural market in Ukraine is showing renewed activity,  the price of wheat today remains one of the main topics for farmers, traders, and processors. After several weeks of instability, the grain segment is gradually returning to balance, although demand for feed-grade grains continues to actively support the market. Experts note that domestic buyers have started contracting volumes more actively, fearing further price increases in the summer.

Farmers are also closely watching the corn segment, as corn price has also shown fluctuations in recent weeks under the influence of export demand and the situation on global exchanges. Some producers are currently holding back sales, expecting more favorable conditions closer to the new marketing season. At the same time, traders are trying to close contracts quickly while logistics through the Black Sea ports remain relatively stable.

At the same time, agricultural companies and processors are actively monitoring the oilseed market, as requests to buy sunflower are becoming increasingly frequent. Demand for sunflower is supported by the stable operation of oil extraction plants and strong competition among exporters. Because of this, farmers are in no hurry to sell their remaining stocks, expecting further price growth.

According to market participants, on an EXW basis, the price of second-grade milling wheat has remained almost unchanged and is holding near UAH 10.1 thousand per tonne. At the same time, the most noticeable growth was shown by fourth-grade feed wheat. Its price exceeded UAH 9.6 thousand per tonne, adding more than 1.5% in just a short trading period. The main reason for the price increase was the growing activity of domestic processors, who are building up raw material stocks.

Purchase prices are also strengthening in the ports of Greater Odesa. The new grain harvest on DAP terms is already estimated at around USD 223 per tonne. This is several dollars higher than a week earlier. Exporters note that farmers have become more active in selling grain after the recent rise in quotations, but supply still remains limited.

The situation on international exchanges has changed somewhat. After the sharp growth of the previous week, traders began taking profits, which caused quotations in the United States and Europe to partially decline. On the Chicago exchange, wheat fell to around USD 233 per tonne, while the European Euronext platform dropped to about USD 243. Investors are waiting for new forecasts regarding the harvest and the global balance of supply and demand.

Analysts believe that in the coming weeks the Ukrainian grain market will remain sensitive to weather conditions, export rates, and currency fluctuations. If demand from importers remains at the current level, the cost of feed-grade grains may continue to grow gradually despite instability on global trading platforms.