On July 24, 2025, leading agricultural associations in Ukraine appealed to President Volodymyr Zelenskyi not to sign Law No.13157, adopted by the Verkhovna Rada on July 16, 2025, which provides for the introduction of export duties on soybeans and rapeseed. Industry representatives are asking for the veto to be exercised and for the law to be returned to the Parliament for reconsideration.

“On behalf of the members of our associations, we express our categorical protest against the adoption of the aforementioned changes regarding the introduction of export duties on soybeans and rapeseed,” is mentioned in the appeal.

Farmers recalled that Ukraine had a similar experience in 2017–2020, when the abolition of VAT on exports of these crops led to a sharp reduction in the areas under cultivation.

“These legislative changes led to a 34% reduction in soybean acreage, from 1.99 million hectares (2017) to 1.32 million hectares (2021). According to estimates by the Kyiv School of Economics, farmers' losses amounted to approximately USD 110 million per year.”

Agricultural associations also warn that the introduction of duties will negatively affect not only the domestic market but also Ukraine's international reputation.

"The proposed duty also contradicts the Association Agreement with the EU. Article 31 of the Agreement explicitly prohibits Ukraine from introducing new export duties. Such changes violate Ukraine's international obligations and may become the basis for the introduction of mirror duties by the EU on products from Ukraine, which would be a disaster for the industry."

The innovation will hit small and medium-sized agricultural producers, who are unable to export their products independently, particularly hard.

“More than 75% of the cultivated land in Ukraine is farmed by small and medium-sized farmers. They do not have sufficient production volumes to form export consignments and enter the foreign market on their own, so they work through traders and processors.”

Separately, farmers emphasized the inconsistency of the law with the Tax Code of Ukraine.

“The entry into force of the provisions providing for the introduction of export duties immediately after its publication contradicts the principle of stability of tax legislation established in Article 7 of the Tax Code of Ukraine.”

Taking into account above mentioned, agricultural associations appealed to the President of Ukraine with a request not to sign the Law and to veto it:

“We ask you not to sign the Law of Ukraine ”On Amendments to the Tax Code of Ukraine and Other Legislative Acts of Ukraine in Connection with the Adoption of the Law of Ukraine “On Integrated Prevention and Control of Industrial Pollution,” to veto it and return it to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for reconsideration, proposing to exclude from it the provisions on amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On Export Duty Rates on Seeds of Certain Oilseeds.”

The appeal was signed by:

• Public Association “Agrarian Union of Ukraine”
• Association of Farmers and Private Landowners of Ukraine
• Public Association “Ukrainian Agri Council”
• Ukrainian Grain Association
• Ukrainian Legume and Soybean Association
• Seed Association of Ukraine