How will the new law on GMOs affect the corn and soybean market in Ukraine?

In Ukraine, from September 16, 2026, Law No. 3339-IX "On State Regulation of Genetic Engineering Activities and State Control over the Placement of GMOs on the Market" will come into force, which will introduce certain restrictions on GMO crops, Latifundist.com reports.

 

Thus, genetically modified corn is banned indefinitely, rapeseed and sugar beets - for 5 years, while there is no direct ban for soybeans.

 

However, experts do not expect this law to have a significant impact on the corn market in Ukraine, as the share of GM corn is currently less than the 3-5% recorded in 2021.

 

Most GM corn is grown for scientific research and testing, not for commercial purposes, as mass production of such grain is economically unfeasible against the backdrop of a significant supply of non-GMO products.

 

The cultivation of genetically modified rapeseed and sugar beets will be prohibited from September 16, 2026 to September 16, 2031, but the share of such rapeseed will not exceed 3-5% of crops.

 

The law does not explicitly prohibit the cultivation of genetically modified soybeans or other crops, but for this, GM varieties must undergo state registration. And while there are no registered GM varieties in Ukraine, their cultivation is prohibited.

 

Experts believe that due to the lack of regulation of the issue of intellectual property protection and payment of royalties to owners of GM varieties, their registration and commercial use in Ukraine may not begin before 2030.

 

At the same time, despite the fact that half of the soybean crops in Ukraine are genetically modified, the entry into force of the new law will not lead to a shortage of seed material, since there is enough certified non-GMO soybean seeds in the country to sow the required amount of area.