- Barley CPT floor at record high: Ukraine raised the minimum barley export price (CPT) to USD 200/mt in May, up from USD 198/mt, the highest level since regulation began.
- Premium over wheat and corn preserved: Barley maintains a price premium versus wheat at USD 174/mt and corn at USD 168/mt under CPT terms.
- FOB barley softens: FOB basis barley minimum price dropped to USD 191/mt from USD 205/mt in April, signaling weaker export-side pricing.
- Mixed margin signals for exporters: The wider spread between CPT (USD 200/mt) and FOB (USD 191/mt) could pressure exporter margins if global prices remain subdued.
- Broader ag complex covered: Updated minimum export prices apply across key Ukrainian grains, oilseeds, and related products for the current month.
Ukraine Barley Export Price Update
Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture has updated minimum allowable export prices for agricultural commodities under the export guarantee regime, effective for the current month under Order No. 5743 dated May 11, 2019.
The minimum allowable export price for barley under CPT terms has been set at USD 200/mt (USD 0.200/kg), up USD 2/mt from April’s USD 198/mt. This is the highest CPT barley floor price since the mechanism was introduced and keeps barley trading at a premium over other major grains. Under the same CPT regime, wheat is set at USD 174/mt and corn at USD 168/mt.
In contrast, the FOB basis minimum export price for barley declined to USD 191/mt in May, down from USD 205/mt in April and well below USD 233/mt in May 2025. Corn’s FOB basis minimum price was increased to USD 178/mt from USD 158/mt in March, the highest level since July 2025.
The updated minimum prices cover exports of wheat, meslin, barley, corn, rye, oats, soybeans, rapeseed, sunflower seeds, vegetable oils, oilcake, honey, and nuts for the current month.
Price Overview
| Commodity | Delivery Basis | Month / Reference | Minimum Price (USD/mt) | Change vs Previous Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barley | CPT | May (current) | 200 | +2 vs Apr (198) |
| Wheat | CPT | May (current) | 174 | N/A |
| Corn | CPT | May (current) | 168 | N/A |
| Barley | FOB | May (current) | 191 | -14 vs Apr (205) |
| Barley | FOB | May 2025 | 233 | N/A (historical reference) |
| Corn | FOB | Latest (post-March) | 178 | +20 vs Mar (158) |
Market Impact and Analysis
The increase in CPT minimum prices for barley reflects firmer inland market values and offers additional support to farmgate pricing, reducing downside risk for producers and origin buyers. This move reinforces barley’s premium status relative to wheat and corn in the Ukrainian domestic logistics chain.
However, the simultaneous decrease in the barley FOB minimum to USD 191/mt implies softer international demand or greater competition from alternative suppliers. The resulting spread of USD 9/mt between the CPT floor (USD 200/mt) and the FOB floor (USD 191/mt) could compress exporter margins if world prices do not adjust higher, potentially moderating export flows.
Market participants should watch whether these administrative floors remain aligned with actual traded values. Any sustained disconnect between Ukraine’s minimum prices and global benchmarks may lead to slower execution, deferred sales, or renegotiation of forward commitments.
Source: Market Data
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