Climate and environmental conditions in Belarus do not allow to fully develop the fat and oil industry of the country. From traditional oil crops for the Black Sea region weather conditions are more favorable for rapeseed cultivation.
And even in this industry not everything is as rosy as one would like it to be. Along with planted area reduction, which is observed for the fourth consecutive year, the harvesting area decreases due to bad wintering of winter crops. What is more, average rapeseed yields do not set new records.
The solution is obvious – export market entry with sunflower and soybean meal purchases. Ukraine and Belarus cooperate actively in this market segment.
Considering the pessimistic forecasts of rapeseed production in Belarus in the 2016/2017 season, and promising estimates of oilseeds harvest in Ukraine (sunflower seed production is expected to set a new record) purchases of meals from Ukraine will be essential for Belarusian importers. This trend has been already evidenced by the neighbors’ willingness to pay higher prices for Ukrainian goods. (UkrAgroConsult/Business World Magazine)