As of April 4, Ukraine exported 33.017 mln tonnes of grains and pulses since the beginning of the 2024-2025 marketing year, of which 232 thsd tonnes were shipped this month, the press service of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food reported citing the State Customs Service.
According to the report, as of April 5 last year, the total shipments amounted to 36.028 mln tonnes.
In terms of crops, since the beginning of the current season, Ukraine has exported 13.254 million tons of wheat (141 thousand tons in April), 2.206 million tons of barley (0), 10.8 thousand tons of rye (0), and 17.061 million tons of corn (90 thousand tons).
The total export of Ukrainian flour since the beginning of the season as of April 4 is estimated at 54.1 thsd tonnes (in April – 0.7 thsd tonnes), including 50.2 thsd tonnes of wheat (0.6 thsd tonnes).
The average loan amount last year was UAH 6,217
In 2024, Ukrainians took out 8.3 million microloans worth almost UAH 52 billion, according to the National Bank of Ukraine. This is 27% more than in 2023. The average microloan amount last year was UAH 6,217. In total, Ukrainians owe microfinance organizations (MFIs) more than UAH 15.77 billion as of the beginning of 2025.
Ukrainians signed more than 8.3 million loan agreements totaling UAH 51.69 billion in 2024. Although the number of agreements issued remained almost unchanged compared to 2023, the volume of loans increased by as much as 27%.
The average microloan amount also increased by 26% over the year. While in 2023, MFIs lent an average of UAH 4,926, last year the average loan was already at UAH 6,217.
On average, microcredit organizations issued 693 thousand loans per month, but the number of microloans varied from month to month. Most microloans were taken out in the third quarter: about 729 thousand loans per month. At the end of the year, borrowing decreased to about 691 thousand loans per month, but people began to close their accumulated debts.
Thus, last year Ukrainians not only took out more loans but also accumulated debts. Over the first three quarters, microloan debt doubled: from UAH 9.3 billion to UAH 18.47 billion. By the end of the year, the debt had decreased by UAH 2.7 billion. However, this did not help improve the overall picture: the debt to MFIs at the beginning of this year amounted to UAH 15.77 billion. This is 1.7 times or UAH 6.47 billion more than at the beginning of 2024.
Agricultural exports account for more than 50% of Ukraine’s total exports, up 4.5% compared to March 2024, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said during a government meeting on Friday.
As he wrote on Telegram, “agricultural exports remain the basis for our trade and account for more than 50% of everything Ukraine sells abroad.”
Shmyhal also informed that last year, exports of Ukrainian goods increased by 13%, and in March of this year, the positive dynamics of export growth continued – plus 4.5% compared to March last year.
“In the face of global trade turbulence, the Ukrainian government will strengthen support for national producers and Ukrainian exporters. We have provided all the necessary tools for this,” the Prime Minister emphasized.
At the same time, he reminded that the “Made in Ukraine” program, in particular, provides UAH 500 million for compensation for the purchase of Ukrainian agricultural machinery. The state compensates farmers for up to 25% of the cost of this equipment if it is made in Ukraine.
“In total, this year we will allocate more than UAH 6 billion from the budget to support the agricultural sector alone,” Shmyhal emphasized.
As reported, Ukraine exported 9.98 million tons of goods worth $3.6 billion in March 2025.
Zaporozhkoks, one of Ukraine’s largest coke producers and a member of Metinvest Group, reduced its blast furnace coke production by 3% year-on-year to 209.7 thousand tons from 214.8 thousand tons in January-March this year.
According to the company, it produced 74.1 thousand tons of coke in March, while in the previous month it produced 61.2 thousand tons.
As reported, Zaporozhkoks increased its blast furnace coke production by 2.1% in 2024 compared to 2023 – to 874.7 thousand tons from 856.8 thousand tons.
“In 2023, Zaporozhkoks increased its blast furnace coke output by 16% compared to 2022, up to 856.8 thousand tons from 737.4 thousand tons.
“Zaporozhkoks produces about 10% of coke in Ukraine and has a full technological cycle of coke products processing. It also produces coke oven gas and pitch coke.
“Metinvest is a vertically integrated mining group of companies. Its major shareholders are SCM Group (71.24%) and Smart Holding (23.76%), which jointly manage the company.
Metinvest Holding LLC is the management company of Metinvest Group.
A Ukrainian woman has won the individual all-around at the opening round of the World Cup in rhythmic gymnastics in Sofia, the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine has announced.
From April 4 to 6, the Bulgarian capital Sofia is hosting the opening stage of the World Cup in rhythmic gymnastics as part of the new competition season. Ukraine is represented at the tournament by two gymnasts in the individual competition and the national team in group exercises.
Taisiya Onofriichuk, a participant of the Paris Olympics, won the individual all-around. She was 3.8 points ahead of her closest rival from Bulgaria and won a gold medal at the World Cup for the first time in her career.
This is the 16-year-old Ukrainian’s fourth consecutive victory in the all-around this season, having previously won gold three times at the Grand Prix.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said in a Facebook post on Saturday that “the market has spoken” after the US announced new trade tariffs.
“The trade and tariff war that the United States has launched against the whole world is unprovoked and unjustified,” he said.
Guo Jiakun called on the United States to stop “doing the wrong thing” and resolve differences with trading partners through equal consultations.
This follows US President Donald Trump’s announcement of “reciprocal” tariffs on goods from 185 foreign trading partners of the United States, including 34% duties on Chinese goods. In response to this step, China decided to impose additional duties on American goods in the amount of 34%, which will take effect on April 10.
