Ukraine's agricultural exports in 2023: Trends and challenges

In the first 11 months of 2023, Ukraine's agricultural exports were 7% lower than in the same period last year, according to the Institute of Agrarian Economics, citing the State Customs Service. Sales amounted to $19.637 billion, although the dominant role of agricultural products in Ukraine's total exports remains stable at 60%.

Cereals and oilseeds, oil, as well as food processing residues, meat and offal are the mainstays of agricultural exports, accounting for 87% of their value. Currently, an important problem is not only the military events, but also restrictions on imports from Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia, which continue after the termination of the Grain Initiative and the blocking of truck traffic at the border.

Food imports grew by 16% to $6.217 billion, maintaining a stable structure. Most of the spending is on fish and seafood, fruits, berries, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Mykola Pugachev, deputy director of the National Research Center "Institute of Agrarian Economics," emphasizes that the current year has been challenging for Ukrainian exporters, who have been subjected to new restrictions and obstacles, including blocking truck traffic and a decline in exports.

Forecasting the next few years, the scientist notes that in 2023 exports may remain at the level of last year, but with the deterioration of the situation, maintaining volumes may become more difficult even in 2024.