In Ukraine, there is an increase in prices for basic food products, particularly buckwheat and sunflower oil. The main reason for this rise is the surging demand that has arisen against the backdrop of media reports.
This is reported by Business • Media
Buckwheat Harvest and Its Impact on the Domestic Market
According to the director of the “Milling Industry of Ukraine” association, Rodion Rybychynskyi, this year’s buckwheat harvest in Ukraine for 2025 turned out to be 15% lower compared to last year. Despite this, the expert emphasized that this situation does not create a shortage for the domestic market, and the price increase is related to artificially heightened demand caused by information waves.
“Ukrainians do not consume buckwheat in the quantities that the media tries to portray,” Rybychynskyi emphasized, urging Ukrainians not to react to the artificially created hype.
Rybychynskyi highlighted that a similar situation repeats every three to four years when interest in certain food products sharply rises under the influence of mass media reports, although actual consumption remains stable.
Increase in Prices for Sunflower Oil
Analysts note that the reduction in sunflower harvest forecasts in Ukraine and the restraint in sales of this crop by farmers also intensify the price dynamics. Processing enterprises are actively taking advantage of the current situation and are selling sunflower oil at increased prices. Over the past week, demand prices for sunflower oil in Ukraine have risen by another $20–30 per ton, currently reaching $1,250–1,265 with delivery to ports in November. At the same time, price offers from factories remain at around $1,250 per ton.
Thus, the main factor driving the increase in prices for buckwheat and sunflower oil in Ukraine remains the surging demand, which is exacerbated by information activity, as well as changes in harvest forecasts and the behavior of market participants in the agricultural sector.