The growth of Ukraine’s gross domestic product (GDP) in April-June 2018 was 3.8% compared to the same period in 2017, whereas according to the preliminary assessment of the State Statistics Service, published in mid-August, this indicator was 3.6%. The department said in relation to the previous quarter, the economy of the country in the second quarter of this year (taking into account the seasonal factor) grow by 1%
According to the service, nominal GDP for the second quarter of 2018 was UAH 807.3 billion, the deflator’s change was 17%. In the second quarter of 2017, these figures were equal to UAH 664.76 billion and 20.9% respectively.
GDP per capita, according to statistics data, in April-June this year rose to UAH 19,074, in real terms by 4.3% compared to April-June last year.
According to the report, the share of final consumer spending increased to 91.5% from 90% a year ago, while that of gross savings decreased to 14.6% from 15.3%, and the deficit of exports and imports of goods and services increased to 6.1% from 5.3%. The National Bank of Ukraine in July estimated GDP growth in the second quarter at 3.2%.
The central bank forecasts acceleration of the country’s economic growth this year to 3.4% from 2.5% in the past year. At the same time, the NBU expects the slowdown in growth in 2019 to 2.5%, followed by acceleration to 2.9% in 2020.
The production of milk in Ukraine (excluding the temporarily occupied Crimea and Sevastopol, part of Donbas) in January-August 2018 declined by 2% compared to the same period in 2017, to 6.998 million tonnes. At the same time, egg production in the first eight months grew by 3% compared to the same period in 2017, to 11.069 billion eggs, the State Statistics Service of Ukraine said.
Production of meat (in live weight) in January-August 2018 grew by 0.1%, to 2.015 million tonnes.
According to earlier statistics reports, milk production in Ukraine in 2017 decreased by 0.5% from 2016, to 10.329 million tonnes, meat (in live weight) by 0.4%, to 3.259 million tonnes. Production of eggs in 2017 rose by 3.2%, to 15.578 billion eggs.
One troy ounce=31.10 grams
Ukraine’s Agricultural Policy and Food Ministry predicts that corn harvest in Ukraine would increase by 19.4% in 2018 compared with 2017, to 29.5 million tonnes.
“We expect the corn harvest this year to be about 29.5 million tonnes, while the export of the crop this agricultural year [2018/2019 agri-year, July-June] will amount to 22 million tonnes,” First Deputy Minister of Agricultural Policy and Food Maksym Martyniuk said at a press conference on Tuesday.
The ministry estimates that the wheat harvest in 2018 may decrease by 7.6%, to 24.2 million tonnes, barley by 13%, to 7.2 million tonnes, rye – by 15%, to 0.38 million tonnes, buckwheat – by 25%, to 0.14 million tonnes, soybean – by 2.6%, to 3.8 million tonnes, and sugar beet – by 10.7%, to 13.3 million tonnes.
The harvest of sunflower can grow by 9.8%, to 13.4 million tonnes, and rapeseed – by 18.2%, to 2.6 million tonnes.
The areas planted with crops for the 2019 harvest will be 8.09 million hectares, in particular 6.2 million hectares with winter wheat, 0.89 million hectares with winter rape, and 0.87 million with winter barley.
Food retailers Metro C&C, Auchan, Silpo, Novus and Billa have asked Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman and Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Andriy Parubiy to support government’s bill No. 4614 introducing parallel imports. According to a letter of the retailers, parallel import foresees import of original goods in parallel with import of products of the right holder and distributors.
“Under the model of parallel import, consumers will have access to lower prices… In this regard, the adoption of bill No. 4614 will improve the level of competition and ensure free trade in the original goods on the customs territory of Ukraine,” CEO of Metro Cash & Carry Ukraine Olivier Langlet said.
According to the explanatory note to the bill posted on the parliament’s website, it is proposed to expand the list of objects of intellectual property rights that are protected after importation into the customs territory of Ukraine, adding the item “brand names.”
In addition, the bill changes the definition of counterfeit goods. In this category, it is proposed to place goods that violate trademark rights and pirated goods (illegal copies of copyrighted goods). The customs clearance of these goods will be suspended at the border.
According to the explanatory note, measures to protect intellectual property rights will not apply to “parallel imports” and to goods moving across the customs border of Ukraine in transit.
