Millet: 20% larger acreage in Ukraine
March 18, 2026 at 12:54 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
Massive crop decline in 2025
In an environment still dominated by the war, the market remains tense and difficult to predict. Rising fuel prices are further exacerbating the situation and increasing the financial pressure on the industry, according to the experts at Chelmer Foods. Processors are facing a combination of high production costs, an unstable energy supply and logistical challenges. Buyers should therefore expect limited supply and possible price fluctuations.
Supply from Ukraine remains restricted. Only a few processors are offering short-term shipments through to May, according to Chelmer Foods in its latest report. The reasons cited are ongoing operational problems, in particular recurring power cuts, which are hampering processing and the continuous operation of facilities.
At the end of February, the Ukrainian State Statistics Service published revised production estimates for the current season. According to these figures, a total of 59,300 mt of millet were harvested in Ukraine in 2025/26, representing a 2.6-fold decrease compared with the previous year. In contrast, the latest crop report from January 2026 indicated that production had reached 62,100 mt, with a harvested area of 35,800 ha.
According to UkrAgroConsult, an acreage of 40,000 ha is planned for Ukrainian millet production in 2026, which was described as a 20.5% increase in acreage. This figure corresponds roughly to the average, based on this increase relative to the previous year’s data from the USDA (30,000 ha to 36,000 ha) and that of the Ukrainian authorities (35,800 ha to 43,100 ha). At around 40,000 ha, however, the acreage would still be significantly smaller than in the past – the five-year average ranges from 65,000 to 71,000 ha, depending on the data source.
According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Economy, the start of sowing for early crops in Ukraine has generally been delayed by one to two weeks. Unfavourable weather conditions, such as frozen ground and snow-covered fields, meant that farmers had to postpone their fieldwork. However, the authorities remain confident that the delays are unlikely to result in a reduction in acreage. Furthermore, thanks to large-scale mine clearance operations across the country, a further 30,000–40,000 acres of land can once again be used for agricultural purposes.
|
Millet production, Ukraine |
|||
|
USDA/FAS |
ha |
mt |
mt/ha |
|
2021/22 |
91,000 |
214,000 |
2.352 |
|
2022/23 |
50,000 |
90,000 |
1.800 |
|
2023/24 |
95,000 |
215,000 |
2.263 |
|
2024/25 |
90,000 |
150,000 |
1.667 |
|
2025/26 |
30,000 |
60,000 |
2.000 |
|
Ukrainian authorities |
ha |
mt |
mt/ha |
|
2021/22 |
81,600 |
205,700 |
2.521 |
|
2022/23 |
44,700 |
101,800 |
2.277 |
|
2023/24 |
79,500 |
180,000 |
2.264 |
|
2024/25 |
88,200 |
161,330 |
1.829 |
|
2025/26 |
35,800 |
62,100 |
1.735 |
|
USDA/FAS, Ukrainian Ministry of Economy, Ukrainian State Statistics Service |
|||
EU imports from Russia are significantly higher
EU millet imports for this season continue to decline. From 1 July 2025 to 15 March 2026, a total of 20,406 mt of millet worth EUR 9.488 million was imported from third countries; in the same period last year, the figure was 22,854 mt worth EUR 9.809 million. The average import price, however, has risen by 7% compared to the same period last year to EUR 0.46/kg. At 14,877 mt, around 76.2% of shipments came from Ukraine (-17.4% year-on-year), followed by China (1,118 mt) and Russia (977 mt).
Germany was by far the most important buyer during this period, accounting for around a quarter of EU imports with 5,070 mt. Furthermore, 3,330 mt went to Italy (-25.8% year-on-year), 2,980 mt to Poland (+1,174% year-on-year) and 2,190 mt to Hungary (+2,190% year-on-year). Portugal’s imports rose by a substantial 137% to 1,550 mt during the aforementioned period, whilst shipments to Belgium fell by 45% to 1,420 mt.
|
EU millet imports, in mt |
|||
|
Partner |
2024/25 |
2025/26 |
Diff. |
|
Ukraine |
18,822 |
15,549 |
-17.4% |
|
China |
1,378 |
1,118 |
-18.9% |
|
Russia |
122 |
977 |
700.8% |
|
India |
726 |
889 |
22.5% |
|
Argentina |
1,176 |
836 |
-28.9% |
|
Kazakhstan |
60 |
330 |
450.0% |
|
Ethiopia |
126 |
159 |
26.2% |
|
Canada |
0,002 |
150 |
n/a |
|
Australia |
120 |
76 |
-36.7% |
|
USA |
20 |
61 |
205.0% |
|
Others |
304 |
261 |
-14.1% |
|
Total |
22,854 |
20,406 |
-10.7% |
|
DG AGRI TAXUD Customs Surveillance System, 01/07-15/03 10082900 Millet (excl. grain sorghum, and seed for sowing) |
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