Ukraine gov. removes corn, sunoil from the list of banned exports

The Ukrainian government has removed corn and sunflower oil from the list of products that were officially banned from exports after the Russian invasion more than a month ago, official documents released this week show.

The update does not say anything about previously prohibited goods, which suggests that restrictions on their export will remain in place.

Although the government has tried to simplify the process of issuing licenses as much as possible, Ukrainian businesses are supportive of the decision to exclude corn and sunflower oil from the list of goods prohibited for export.

This is due to the fact that, at present, all Ukrainian exports have been stopped due to high risks and active military operations as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Something in the region of 95% of Ukraine's agricultural products are exported through the country's Black Sea ports, like Mariupol, Odesa and Mykolaiv.

Previously, in an official decree dated March 5, the Ukrainian government banned the export of basic products and restricted grain exports after the invasion began on February 24, 2022.

The measures restricted the export of essential commodities such as buckwheat, rye, sugar, millet, oats, salt, livestock, cattle meat and other by-products from cattle, wheat, corn, sunflower oil, poultry meat and eggs, as the country expected increased demand during the war.

Later, on March 9, the government expanded the list of goods prohibited for export by adding barley and ground or whole rapeseed along with animal or vegetable fertilizers.