Ukraine Sets Record for Rapeseed Oil Exports to the EU in September

In September 2025, Ukraine achieved a record export of rapeseed oil, shipping nearly 109 thousand tons of this product. This figure is 4.5 times higher than the export volumes of the previous month. At the same time, 92 thousand tons or 85% of the total rapeseed oil exports were delivered to European Union countries.

This is reported by AgroReview

Reasons for Export Growth and the Role of Tariffs

According to economist Viktor Halasyuk, this is the highest export figure for rapeseed oil to the EU ever recorded. He noted that in July and August, Kenya was the leader in supplying rapeseed oil to the European market, while Ukraine primarily exported unprocessed rapeseed seeds.

“Think about it: Kenya figured out that it’s better to produce oil than just sell seeds abroad. Meanwhile, we had extensive public discussions and still do: what’s better? Let’s think about it, let’s consult. Why produce, isn’t it better to supply unprocessed raw materials? It’s a free market, someone needs it, we will be Europe’s feeder. It’s not a bad role to be Europe’s feeder, right?” said Halasyuk.

The expert explained that the key factor in the significant increase in rapeseed oil exports was the 10% export tariff on unprocessed rapeseed seeds. According to him, this tariff effectively became a tax on the export of agricultural raw materials, which encouraged producers to sell seeds on the domestic market, load Ukrainian processing enterprises, and increase the volumes of domestic processing.

Legislative Changes and Support for Ukrainian Farmers

On July 16, 2025, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted amendments to the legislation that introduced a 10% export tariff for grain traders exporting soybeans and rapeseed seeds. Producers of finished products are not subject to these restrictions. The funds from the tariff payments are directed to the support fund for agricultural producers, which contributes to the development of the sector. On September 2, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the relevant law.