21 October 2023

In total in MY2022/23, from October 2022 and till September 2023, Ukrainian companies exported 427 kmt of sugar.

According to customs statistics, Ukrainian sugar exports in September 2023 amounted to 25,000 tons. Total since the beginning of the season (October 2022) - 427 thousand tons.

This is one of the largest values of sugar exports in the entire history of Ukraine (more historical data - in our review). The main reasons are high sugar stocks in Ukraine at the start of the 2022/23 season, as well as high global sugar prices throughout the season. It should also be noted that from June 5 to September 15, the export of sugar from Ukraine was prohibited due to government concerns about the shortage of the product at the end of the season and the increase in domestic sugar prices.

Taking into account the fairly good profitability of growing sugar beets and sugar production in Ukraine (primarily due to high global prices), in 2023 Ukrainian farmers significantly increased the area planted with sugar beets - to 250,000 hectares (184,000 hectares in 2022).

By mid-October beet has been harvested from an area of 96,000 ha (39% of the plan) with an average yield of 47.7 t/ha.

It can be expected that the total harvest of beets in Ukraine in 2023 will be about 11.8-12 million tons (which will be the highest value starting from 2018), sugar production - 1.6 million tons. In total, Ukraine can export about 600-650 thousand tons of sugar in the new season.