Ukraine boosts agri-trade with EU

The volume of mutual trade in agricultural products between Ukraine and the European Union in 2020 amounted to $10.2 billion, setting the second-best result in history.

That's according to the National Scientific Center "Institute of Agrarian Economy".

"This figure, although it didn't exceed the 2019 record of $10.6 billion, was the second-best result since the Association Agreement has been signed between Ukraine and the European Union," the statement said.

At the same time, the surplus amounted to $3.1 billion.

Read alsoCapital investment in agriculture, forestry, fisheries shrinks by over 45%According to the report, the main European trading partners of Ukraine in 2020 were the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Germany, Italy, France, as well as the United Kingdom, and Belgium, all of which have retained a stable place in this list for the recent years. These countries account for more than 80% of the total turnover of agricultural products between Ukraine and the EU.

"Last year, Ukraine imported agricultural products from EU member states worth about $3.6 billion, which is 13.4% more on year," the message says.

In particular, in 2020, Ukraine spent in the EU most of all, $386 million, on the purchase of drinks, mainly alcoholic beverages. Also, $338 million worth of various food products, extracts and concentrates were purchased  Supplies of tobacco and tobacco products from Europe increased by 16% compared to 2019, to $323 million.

Also, chocolate supplies were up by a quarter, to $228 million.

In addition, for the first time since the Association Agreement has been signed, a relatively significant share (7.9%) in domestic imports were dairy products ($279 million), including various cheeses with a total value of $207 million.

Background

By the end of 2020, Ukraine reduced the export of agri-food products to the EU countries by 10.8%, to EUR 6.53 billion.