Ukrainian Farmers Are Massively Shifting to Growing Soybeans and Peas in 2026
In February 2026, significant changes occurred in the structure of the upcoming planting campaign in Ukraine. Barley, which traditionally occupied large areas in the southern and central regions, is losing ground. According to analysts’ estimates, the planting areas for this crop may decrease by 15–20%, while legumes, particularly soybeans and peas, are showing a record increase in popularity among farmers.
This is reported by AgroReview
Economic Reasons for the Change in Crop Structure
The key factor behind these changes is the low price of feed barley, which barely covers transportation costs. In 2026, high logistics costs for delivering grain to ports make the cultivation of “cheap” crops economically unviable for farmers.
- Nitrogen Fixation: Soybeans and peas enrich the soil with natural nitrogen, leaving “free” fertilizers. In a situation where the price of nitrate sharply increased again in 2026, this allows for savings of up to $100 per hectare for the next crop, including wheat.
- Demand in Europe: EU countries are gradually phasing out imports of GMO soybeans from Latin America. Ukrainian non-GMO soybeans are becoming scarce in the market, and European processors are willing to pay a premium price for them.
Legumes Become an Export Breakthrough
Farmers are particularly attracted to yellow peas. The Indian market, which recently reopened to Ukrainian peas after the cancellation of import duties, has created new opportunities for exporters. Agricultural producers in the Odesa and Mykolaiv regions are actively taking advantage of this.
As experts note, the profitability of peas in 2026 is twice that of feed barley, which is driving the mass transition of farmers to legumes.