Yulia Svyrydenko. Photo: Hollie Adams-Bloomberg/Getty Images
Ukraine continues to maintain stable export positions: in January 2025, the total volume of exports abroad amounted to 9.5 million tonnes of goods worth $3.1 billion. This was announced by Yulia Svyrydenko, First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine.
According to her, logistics remains a key factor in Ukraine’s exports, and sea transport provided 6.6 million tonnes of supplies. Further normalisation of seaport operations is critical to maintaining and increasing trade volumes.
What did Ukraine export in January?
They accounted for the largest share in the export structure:
- Corn – $521 million (2.5 million tonnes)
- Sunflower oil – $426 million (378 thousand tonnes)
- Iron ore and concentrates – $247 million (3.1 million tonnes)
- Wheat – $188 million (891 thousand tonnes)
- Insulated wires and cables – $104 million (6 thousand tonnes)
- Soybeans – $90 million (223 thousand tonnes)
Main trading partners
The European Union remained the largest buyer of Ukrainian goods, importing $1.8 billion in January. Egypt, Turkey, China, and the United States were the main partner countries among third countries, accounting for $1.3bn of exports.
Export and import dynamics
Despite the overall positive trend, exports in January decreased by $117 million (-3.6%) compared to December 2024. Main reasons:
- Seasonal decline in oilseed exports
- Reduced supply of metals, especially iron ore, due to low demand in China
At the same time, imports declined even more significantly – by $1.04 billion (-16.9%), which has a positive impact on the country’s trade balance.
The Ministry of Economy is optimistic about export prospects, expecting growth to resume in the near future.
