In 2025, Ukraine exported goods worth $41.627 billion, which is $5.44 billion, or 15% more than in 2023, reported Taras Kachka, Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade Representative of Ukraine.
"In weight terms, the export amounted to 131.179 million tons. This is an increase of 30.8 million tons, representing a growth of 30.8%. Imports also rose by 8.6% to $69 billion," he wrote on Facebook on Wednesday.
Kachka specified that electricity imports increased by 333% – to $669 million, battery imports went up by 103% to $950 million, transformer imports grew by 108% to $596 million, and UAV imports rose by 77% to $1.2 billion.
"The leaders in imports are petroleum products ($6.8 billion) and 'various' goods ($4.5 billion), directly linked to the war and defense. Thus, energy challenges and defense are the main drivers of imports. The drivers are quite inelastic. A significant reduction in the trade deficit is directly related to the development of the defense industry and the restoration of energy infrastructure," emphasized the trade representative.
Speaking about exports, Kachka noted that due to the opening of navigation in ports, iron ore emerged as a leader in export volumes – 33.6 million tons, which is an 89% increase compared to 2023, while in monetary terms, the growth was 58% – reaching $2.8 billion.
The second position in volume, according to him, was taken by corn – 29 million tons, which is a 12.3% increase from 2023, but in monetary terms, the increase was only 2.3% – reaching $5.07 billion.
The trade representative pointed out that the situation was reversed in poultry meat exports: in physical terms, it increased by only 5.6% – to 448.4 thousand tons, but in monetary terms, it rose by 20% – to $961 million.
"Among the goods whose exports exceeded one billion dollars, it is particularly worth mentioning cable products, the export of which increased by 60% to $1.27 billion," Kachka added.
According to his data, the revenue growth from the export of major metallurgical products was 52% for semi-finished products – reaching $927 million, 38.9% for hot-rolled products – reaching $809 million, 125% for pipes – reaching $590 million, 6.1% for pig iron – reaching $500 million, and 19.3% for bars – reaching $156 million.
"A certain indicator of the performance of the food processing industry is confectionery. There is a 38% increase in revenue from chocolate ($264 million), a 26.9% increase for cookies ($269 million), and a 15.6% increase for non-chocolate candies ($215 million)," the trade representative also wrote.
In wood processing, he noted that the export of boards (sawn timber) decreased both in volume but still remained above 1 million tons, and in revenue – down by 1.2% to $400.9 million; however, glued plywood was exported at 95% more – totaling $125.3 million.
"There are good indicators in the light industry as well. The export of suits, sets, jackets, trousers, and overalls for men amounted to $99 million. This is an increase of 646% … compared to 2023. The export of suits, sets, jackets, dresses, and skirts for women was valued at $71.3 million, marking a 114.2% growth," Kachka wrote.
According to him, geographically, Ukrainian exports are becoming increasingly EU-centric: exports to the EU grew by 5.9% – reaching $24.7 billion. The top five EU members by export were Poland ($4.7 billion), Spain ($2.8 billion), Germany ($2.8 billion), the Netherlands ($1.98 billion), and Italy ($1.93 billion). Meanwhile, the export growth to Germany was 40.5%, while exports to Poland decreased by 1.1%, the trade representative specified.
"Overall, trade with Poland is declining, as Ukraine imported 6.8% less from it than in 2023. Nevertheless, Poland remains the leader in supplying goods from the EU – $6.8 billion out of $34.3 billion total imports from the EU," Kachka noted.
He also pointed out that trade with Turkey is decreasing – by 7.2% in exports and 13.5% in imports.
According to him, instead, the import from China is growing at significant rates: last year it increased by 37.4% – reaching $14.3 billion.
"And this is the main area of turbulence in our trade policy, as trade with China may undergo fundamental changes due to the anticipated measures from the new US administration, which will ripple around the world and lead to a recalibration of tariff rates within the WTO. If the USA emphasizes its right to revise its customs rates, then Ukraine has even more rights to do so, as we entered the WTO with unrealized expectations of tariff reductions by other WTO member states," Kachka emphasized.