Locusts in Ukraine: Rising Demand for Insecticides and Plant Protection Products

In late June, the focus of the plant protection market shifted to locusts: in Dnipro region, reports emerged about the implementation of a special plant protection regime, while two other regions increased monitoring efforts.

For agribusiness, this does not mean an automatic surge in insecticide application, but it emphasizes the importance of quick diagnostics, availability of registered products, and readiness of equipment for prompt treatment.

Current Priorities for Farms

The first step is regular inspection of fields, roadside areas, fallow lands, and zones near forest belts. Monitoring provides the basis for decisions on whether treatment is necessary, the affected area, and the appropriate product.

Buyers of plant protection products should check not only prices but also the compatibility of the product with the crop, pest, and growth stage. It is also essential to consider pre-harvest intervals to avoid risks to crop quality.

• Verify the active ingredient, formulation, and application rate according to official instructions;
• Check the availability of documents and registration of the product in Ukraine;
• Coordinate delivery considering the urgency of treatment;
• Avoid planning blanket treatments without confirmed necessity on specific fields.

Implications for Pesticide Sellers on AgroPost

Demand may shift towards insecticides, auxiliary spraying products, agronomic inspection services, and application services. Listings that clearly specify crop, purpose, packaging, stock availability, and shipment region will perform best.

For sellers, it is crucial not to promise a universal solution "against locusts" without assessing the actual field situation. A more reliable approach is to offer agronomic consultations, product selection tailored to the crop, and to confirm the legality of the product.

Crop Protection Linked to Harvest and Storage

At the same time, the market enters a period of active preparation for the new harvest: elevator facilities are conducting repairs, cleaning warehouses, and checking grain transportation routes. This underscores that field decisions regarding plant protection should be coordinated with subsequent storage and sale of the produce.

An additional factor is export logistics. In container railway shipments, grain remained the largest agricultural commodity in the first five months of 2026, although its share decreased. For producers, this is another reason to monitor product residues and avoid risking the marketability of shipments.

Key Takeaways for Buyers and Suppliers

• Locust outbreaks increase demand not only for insecticides but also for crop monitoring services;
• Urgent procurement does not eliminate the need to verify registration and documentation of pesticides;
• For AgroPost listings, availability, warehouse region, and delivery speed are critical;
• Pre-harvest treatments should be aligned with pre-harvest intervals and quality requirements.

Market implications: In the near future, demand for targeted insecticidal solutions and agronomic support may grow in the plant protection segment. Buyers should rely on monitoring, while sellers should make offers as specific and well-documented as possible.