EUDR regulation will affect soybean exports to the EU and create new challenges for port operators, – UCAB

In January 2026, the EUDR (European Union Deforestation Regulation) regulation will come into effect, which may create new non-tariff barriers to soybean exports to the EU.

This was announced by UCAB General Director Oleg Khomenko during the Trend & Hedge Club meeting, writes AgroPortal.

According to him, Ukrainian agribusiness is already trying to prepare as much as possible for the EUDR regulation, which provides for full traceability of products, including geolocation and the need for confirmation.

Now Ukrainian enterprises have to understand all the details of the regulation on their own. To do this, together with the consulting company CEO I.P.Cert, UCAB has created a working group that is developing mechanisms for the transition of management in accordance with EUDR rules.

“If we talk about geo-coordinates, preventing product segregation, shipment and traceability, then large systemic companies can adapt to this. The more vulnerable category is medium and small farmers who like to work with soybeans, since it is undemanding in cultivation. Therefore, there is a certain threat, especially for companies that not only grow, but also trade,” the CEO of UCAB emphasized.

He also added that although Ukraine is a “low-risk” country in terms of deforestation, operators must submit a Due Diligence Statement and provide geocoordinates. So now the UCAB working group is developing methods and recommendations for producers that will be distributed among farmers and companies.

The issues of traceability and segregation are difficult, because while Ukraine still has some experience in mixing GMOs and non-GMOs, shipping and forming batches at the port is a challenge for operators.

“There is something to work on, but I hope that we will develop algorithms and be able to export our products to the EU, especially since there is demand for it. After all, Europeans are happy to buy domestic quality products at a lower price, process them, receiving additional funds,” Oleg Khomenko emphasized.

It should be noted that last year Ukraine exported 1 million 314 thousand tons of soybeans to the EU countries, which is about 9% of all imports of the crop by the European Union. The forecasted harvest this year is up to 5.8-6.5 million tons. Taking into account the new norms, a maximum of 1 million tons of potential harvest is ready for export, because 70% of producers do not even know about the EUDR norms.

Read also: Ukraine has introduced an export duty on soybeans and rapeseed. Zelenskyy signed the law.