Grain or soybeans - what are farmers making money on now

The Ukrainian agricultural sector continues to export grain even in the difficult conditions of the war. Despite the shelling of the port infrastructure, rising costs of logistics and high insurance costs, traders are rebuilding routes and finding new ways of supply. Against this background, farmers are increasingly paying attention to oil crops, because the price of soybeans looks more stable compared to many grains, which allows to partially equalize farm incomes.

The global market remains very sensitive to the balance of supply and demand. In January, food wheat from Ukraine traded at around $210 per tonne, while feed wheat fell to around $205. The main pressure is created by the cheaper offer of competitors and weaker demand in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa. At the same time the price of soybeans for 1 ton rose to about $430, which looks attractive against the background of other crops.

Wheat currently faces stiff price competition. Buyers carefully compare offers on FOB terms and often choose cheaper options. Despite this, Ukrainian grain is valued for its quality and compliance with standards. That is why requests in the format buy wheat regularly appear on the market, especially from companies that already have experience working with Ukrainian suppliers.

The soybean segment looks more vibrant due to competition between exporters and domestic processors. The growth of processing supports the demand for raw materials within the country, and active exports form an additional price foundation. The global trend towards the use of vegetable protein also works in favor of soy, making it a strategic crop.

Ukrainian farmers are increasingly diversifying crops by combining grain and oil crops to reduce risks. This approach allows for a flexible response to market changes. If one culture falls in price, another can compensate for the losses.

In general, the agricultural market of Ukraine remains alive and adaptive. Despite the war and economic challenges, it continues to work, maintain export potential and seek new opportunities. The ability to quickly adapt to circumstances today is the main competitive advantage of the Ukrainian agricultural sector. At the same time, producers are investing more actively in storage, technology and market analytics to more accurately plan sales and minimize price risks in the coming seasons.