Ukraine grain exports rise 60% week on week, but monthly volumes still 72% below last year

Ukraine's grain export volumes rose to 669,000 tonnes during the week to Sunday April 13, a 60% increase compared with the previous week, according to data released by the State Customs Service on Monday.

Total Ukraine grain exports so far in April amounted to 1.07 million tonnes, down by 72% from 3.74 million tonnes during the same period in 2024.

Cumulative exports since the beginning of the 2024/25 marketing year stood at 33.38 million tonnes, which is 13% lower than the 38.31 million tonnes shipped during the same period a year ago.

Corn exports

Corn shipments reached 477,000 tonnes last week, up by 77% from the previous week. Total corn exports for the 2024/25 season now stand at 17.72 million tonnes, 16% below last year’s 21.17 million tonnes.

Between 7 and 13 April, Turkey was the leading importer of corn, receiving 147,625 tonnes, followed by the Netherlands with 69,570 tonnes, and Belgium with 64,150 tonnes. Notable volumes also reached Libya (38,288 tonnes), Yemen (32,394 tonnes), Egypt (27,895 tonnes), and Tunisia (27,500 tonnes). Smaller shipments were delivered to Lebanon (18,619 tonnes) and Italy, which brought in 18,190 tonnes of corn.

In April to date, 741,000 tonnes of corn have been exported, a 69% year-on-year decrease from 2.40 million tonnes.

In April so far, Turkey was the top importer of Ukrainian corn, purchasing 187,765 tonnes. The Netherlands and China followed with 70,280 and 68,150 tonnes respectively. Belgium imported 64,150 tonnes, while Vietnam received 61,791 tonnes. Other significant buyers included Egypt (56,571 tonnes), Italy (53,060 tonnes), and Libya (38,288 tonnes). Yemen, Spain, and Tunisia received 32,394, 30,200, and 27,500 tonnes respectively, while Lebanon and Greece imported 18,619 and 16,410 tonnes respectively.

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Wheat exports

Wheat exports rose by 11% week on week to 163,000 tonnes. This brings total wheat exports for the marketing year to 13.42 million tonnes, an 11% decline from 15.01 million tonnes in 2023/24.

During reporting week, Bangladesh imported 54,800 tonnes of wheat, followed by Tunisia with 34,084 tonnes, Italy with 29,747 tonnes, and Egypt, which received 27,500 tonnes of wheat.

Wheat exports for April so far reached 300,000 tonnes, down by 74% year on year from 1.17 million tonnes in the same period of 2024.

In April, Algeria was the largest importer of Ukrainian wheat, receiving 56,298 tonnes. Bangladesh followed closely with 54,800 tonnes, while Tunisia imported 43,648 tonnes. Italy accounted for 40,622 tonnes, while Egypt and Jordan received 32,691 and 31,300 tonnes respectively. Smaller volumes were shipped to Libya (19,342 tonnes) and Lebanon (10,392 tonnes).

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Barley exports

Ukraine shipped 29,000 tonnes of barley during the week, resuming activity after two consecutive weeks without exports. This pushed total barley exports for the season to 2.24 million tonnes, 5% above last year’s figure of 2.13 million tonnes.

In the week spanning 7 to 13 April, Jordan imported 18,997 tonnes of barley, while Lebanon brought in 5,775 tonnes.

This month, barley exports stood at 25,000 tonnes, down by 85% compared with 170,000 tonnes in April 2024 — a sharp drop, though slightly improved from zero activity earlier in the month.

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The figures reflect volumes declared for export, which may differ from the physical volumes shipped during the same period.

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