Ukraine averts renewed sugar export curbs after government pact with producers

The Cabinet of Ministers no longer plans to ban sugar exports, reported the website of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food.

On Monday, the department signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Association of Sugar Producers (Ukrsugar), the purpose of which is to support stable food security without export restrictions.

The parties agreed during the marketing year to agree on the maximum volume of sugar exports based on the preliminary balance of demand and supply and to make changes taking into account spring sowing and plant vegetation. The maximum volume of sugar exports in the 2023/2024 marketing year will be up to 650,000 tons.

The Agriculture Ministry reserves the right to initiate state regulatory measures (subject to prior consultations with producers) in the event of threats to the state's food security.

The memorandum enters into force from the date of signing and is valid until September 1, 2024.

At the end of May 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers temporarily banned the export of sugar, but in July it eased the ban, allowing exports to Romania. Despite this, the export of sugar from Ukraine last season became one of the largest in history.