Changes in Ukrainian Barley Exports
Turkey has significantly increased its purchases of Ukrainian barley, leading to substantial changes in the geography of exports of this grain product. From July to November of the 2025/26 marketing year, Ukraine exported 1.2 million tons of barley, which is 37% less than in the same period last year. At the same time, Turkey has become a new key buyer, increasing its purchase volumes by 6.4 times, acquiring 233,000 tons of Ukrainian barley, compared to only 36,000 tons last season. Turkey's share among importers rose to 20%.
Despite the increase in purchases from Turkey, total barley exports from Ukraine are declining. China, which accounts for 42% of all purchases, has also reduced its purchases by 31%. Libya has decreased its imports of Ukrainian barley by 37%. The estimated gross harvest of barley in the 2025/26 marketing year will be 5.3 million tons, which may affect future export opportunities.
Export Routes and Volumes
The average daily transfer of grain cargo in November was 169 wagons, which is 25% more than in October. Grain transfer to:
- Hungary - 48.2 wagons per day
- Slovakia - 21.1 wagons per day
- Romania - 11.4 wagons per day
Meanwhile, the transfer to Poland has decreased to 7.3 wagons per day. This data indicates an activation of export routes, although the overall decline in barley export volumes remains a challenge for Ukrainian farmers.
The increase in barley purchases by Turkey may indicate a shift in priorities in international trade for Ukrainian farmers.
However, despite positive changes with one of the importers, the reduction in export volumes to traditional buyers, such as China and Libya, raises concerns about the future opportunities for the Ukrainian agricultural sector. The estimated gross harvest of barley also indicates that farmers may face difficulties in selling their products in foreign markets.