Ukraine’s sugar export map is rapidly changing. According to the association of sugar producers Ukrtsukor, in the first three months of the 2025/26 marketing year the country shipped 116.1 thousand tons of sugar abroad, and 95% of this volume went to non EU destinations on the global market.
Lebanon and Syria emerge as top destinations
The structure of demand clearly confirms the pivot to the Middle East and Western Balkans. In September–November 2025 the main buyers of Ukrainian sugar were:
- Lebanon – 37% of exported volume
- Syria – 18%
- North Macedonia – 8%
- Bosnia and Herzegovina – 7%
- United Arab Emirates – 7%
For Ukrainian producers this means that relatively small but solvent markets in the Levant and Balkans are now replacing part of the demand that previously came from the European Union, where access is constrained by quotas and trade debates.
Record production meets changing geography of exports
On the production side, Ukrainian sugar plants continue to operate at high capacity. As of the first ten days of November, factories had produced around 880 thousand tons of sugar – about 100 thousand tons less than at the same date last year, but still enough to fully cover domestic demand and maintain an export surplus.
This season 27 sugar factories are processing sugar beet, compared to 29 last season and 30 in 2023/2024. The sector is gradually consolidating, while logistics and export channels become more sophisticated and diversified.
What this means for the market and investors
The growing share of shipments to Lebanon, Syria and other MENA and Western Balkan markets confirms that Ukrainian sugar is strengthening its presence in regions where demand for food imports is structurally high. For traders and investors this creates opportunities to build long term contracts, invest in logistics and storage near ports and develop risk management strategies tied to regional demand rather than purely EU quotas.
At the same time, dependence on a narrower group of markets increases sensitivity to political and logistical risks in the Middle East. Exporters who can combine flexible routes, diversified buyers and transparent pricing will be better positioned to turn Ukraine’s strong sugar balance into stable foreign currency earnings in the 2025/26 season and beyond.
