In May 2025, for the first time since December 2024, prices for extra-grade raw milk in Ukraine practically stopped falling and were slightly below 16.3 UAH/kg, according to the expert and analytical service of the Ukrainian Dairy Industry Association (UDIA).
The industry association calculated that the price level in April 2025 (in hryvnia) was 18.5% lower than in December 2024 and 2.5% lower than in September 2024, but 16.5% higher than in June 2024 and 7.5% higher than in December 2023.
At the same time, the average price in May 2025 (domestic quality basis, expressed in EUR) was lower than EUR35/100 kg compared to EUR37.4 in March and EUR40 in February this year and EUR45.7 in December 2024.
The average price, expressed in EUR and converted to the euro base, in May 2025 was lower than EUR 41/100 kg compared to EUR 44 in March and EUR 47 in February 2025 and EUR 53.7 in December last year.
The price level in May 2025 (converted to EUR and Eurobase) was 24% lower than in December last year, 4.5% lower than in September 2024, but 6.5% higher than in May 2024, although still 7% lower than in December 2023.
The ratio between price levels in Ukraine and the EU and Poland averages in May 2025 was 77% of the EU average and 76.5% of the Polish average.
“The corresponding ratio between the domestic price and the EU average price has not been recorded since July 2023,” the SMU noted.
Assessing the situation on other continents, industry analysts noted a decline in milk purchase prices in the US (below EUR41.3), Brazil (to EUR42.3), and New Zealand (to EUR39.5).
A number of streets in Kyiv have been closed due to night shelling, including Vatslava Havel Street, part of Povitryanykh Sil Avenue, and part of Boryspilska Street. Traffic on adjacent streets is difficult, according to Oleksiy Biloshitsky, first deputy head of the Ukrainian Patrol Police Department.
“Traffic has been blocked on Vatslava Havel Street; Povitryaniy Sil Avenue (from the intersection with Volynska Street to the Zhuliany overpass); Boryspilska Street (from Yaltynska Street to Staroboryspilska Street),” he wrote on Telegram on Monday.
According to him, traffic is difficult on adjacent streets.
Kyivpastrans also reported that as a result of the night attack, damage to transport infrastructure was recorded, in particular, tram routes No. 15 and No. 22 were temporarily suspended. Specialists are working to eliminate the consequences.
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) reduced its currency sales on the interbank market by $53 million, or 8.4%, to $585.8 million last week, with almost no currency purchases, according to statistics on the regulator’s website. As noted by the NBU, it purchased $0.50 million worth of currency for the first time in two weeks.
Data published by the regulator during this period show that the balance was negative throughout last week, fluctuating from $11.3 million on Monday to $11.6 million on Tuesday, $13.2 million on Wednesday, and $8.5 million on Thursday.
The official hryvnia exchange rate fluctuated from 41.4018 UAH/$1 at the beginning of the week, on Wednesday the hryvnia devalued to 41.5566/$1, and by the end of the week the rate was 41.4466 UAH/$1.
On the cash market, the hryvnia exchange rate remained virtually unchanged at the end of the week: the buying rate was approximately 41.40 UAH/$1, and the selling rate was around 41.45 UAH/$1.
“The end of May 2025 is characterized by moderate stability in Ukraine’s currency market in the absence of shock changes, despite external turbulence and a complex geopolitical background. The national currency maintains a controlled exchange rate against the US dollar, while the euro/hryvnia pair continues to show increased volatility, which is associated with both global trends and internal structural shifts in the currency preferences of businesses and the population,” experts from KYT Group, a major player in the cash currency exchange market, described the situation.
In their opinion, in the medium term of 2-4 months, the dollar-hryvnia exchange rate will return to the range of 41.80-42.50 UAH/USD, provided that imports grow, domestic inflation rises, or significant signals regarding external financing are received.
In the long term, over 6+ months, KYT Group expects a likely movement towards 43.00-45.00 UAH/$1 or even higher.
The review is available at the link – https://interfax.com.ua/news/projects/1080324.html
Uzbekistan is preparing a law on alternative investment funds. This was announced by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on June 10 during the plenary session of the Tashkent International Investment Forum .
According to the head of state, alternative financing instruments are actively developing in the country, primarily venture capital.
“Last year, the valuation of two national start-ups, Uzum and TBC, exceeded $1 billion for the first time. We intend to significantly increase the number of such companies,” the president said.
In this regard, a draft law has been prepared that will allow the volume of venture capital and other forms of alternative investment to reach $1 billion over the next five years.
At the same time, structural changes will be introduced in the banking system, insurance, finance, and the capital market. In particular, the country plans to establish a Financial Stability Council, and specialized platforms aimed at developing financial technologies and cybersecurity will be launched at the Central Bank.
To stimulate the industry, three venture capital funds with a total capital of $50 million have already been created.
According to a study of the Central Asian venture market conducted by RISE Research in collaboration with KPMG, by the end of 2024, total venture capital investment in the region reached approximately $95 million, up 7% from the previous year.
Uzbekistan showed one of the highest growth rates in the region, increasing 2.7 times from $6.3 million to $17.5 million. The number of venture deals in the country also increased to 38 per year (compared to 34 in 2023 and 24 in 2022). The average investment amount more than doubled, from $204,000 to $460,000.
In terms of the number of startups (over 400) and active investors (over 25), Uzbekistan ranks second in Central Asia, behind only Kazakhstan, which has about 1,000 startups and over 50 investors.
Spain remains one of the most popular countries in Europe for foreigners to buy property. However, as in other EU countries, ownership entails obligations, primarily tax obligations. Below is a brief and clear guide to property taxes in Spain for private individuals.
Main taxes on purchase
1. Property transfer tax (ITP)
– applies to the purchase of second-hand property
– the rate depends on the region: from 6% to 11% of the cadastral or market value (whichever is higher)
2. VAT (IVA) and stamp duty (AJD)
– when buying new property from a developer:
VAT – 10% (for ordinary housing) or 21% (for commercial property)
AJD – 0.5–1.5% depending on the region
Annual taxes for owners
1. IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) – property tax
– mandatory for all owners
– calculated based on the cadastral value (valor catastral)
– the rate is set by municipalities and ranges from 0.4% to 1.3%
– for example, with a cadastral value of €100,000, the tax can range from €400 to €1,300 per year
2. Tax on waste collection (Basura / Residuos Sólidos)
– essentially a garbage collection tax
– set by local authorities
– from €50 to €200 per year, depending on the size of the property and the region
3. Real estate income tax (IRNR)
– for non-residents who do not rent out their property
– taxes the estimated income from owning real estate (usually 1.1–2% of the cadastral value × 19% for the EU/EEA or 24% for other countries)
4. Tax on rental income
– if you rent out real estate, the income is taxed at the following rates:
19% – EU and EEA citizens (expenses can be deducted)
24% – other foreigners (expenses are not taken into account)
Other possible fees
Municipal improvement taxes (Contribuciones Especiales) — for the construction of roads, water supply, etc. near your property
Capital gains tax (Plusvalía Municipal) — when selling real estate, calculated as the increase in the cadastral value of the plot
The IBI tax is paid annually, the deadline depends on the specific municipality (usually from May to October). If you do not receive a notice by mail, this does not exempt you from paying the tax. It is recommended to activate your electronic taxpayer account or use a bank auto-debit. In case of late payment, a penalty may be charged, which can be significant.
Buying in Spain: the region matters
Each autonomous region of Spain has its own fiscal policy. For example:
in Andalusia, ITP can be 7%
in Catalonia — 10%
in Madrid and Valencia — benefits for young and large families
In recent years, Spain has been discussing reforms in the field of property taxation — in particular, a review of the cadastral value, as well as restrictions on renting accommodation to tourists in large cities. This may affect the amount of taxes in the future.
Spain offers an attractive real estate market, but every owner must take into account local tax obligations. Rates and rules depend on the status of the owner, the type of property, and the region. Before buying or renting a property, it is advisable to consult with a local lawyer or tax advisor.
Source: http://relocation.com.ua/property-taxes-in-spain-an-overview-from-relocation/
The Zaporizhstal steelworks in Zaporizhia has begun a series of major repairs to key energy equipment.
According to its annual capital investment program, Zaporizhstal will repair key units of the thermal power plant this year, allocating approximately 75 million hryvnias for this purpose.
“The thermal power plant is responsible for the production of three key types of energy resources – steam, blast air, and electricity – and supplies them to the plant’s divisions, ensuring the continuity of the production process at the sintering plant, blast furnace, rolling and other main and auxiliary shops. The overhaul will improve the reliability and uptime of both individual units and the entire energy complex of Zaporizhstal,” said Taras Shevchenko, acting CEO of the company.
It is specified that the plant will repair the power equipment in stages, as the work will be carried out while production continues, maintaining planned production volumes.
Zaporizhstal has already begun a large-scale overhaul of boiler unit No. 5, which is scheduled to be carried out every few years and will last about 100 days. Next in line is turbo compressor unit No. 7, with all planned work to be completed within 80 days. In the fall, major repairs will begin on turbine generator No. 1, which will last 45 days. Preparatory work is currently underway.
The major repairs will be carried out by the company’s own engineering service with the involvement of contractors Inventum Ukraine and Intel Energo.
The company notes that despite the difficult economic situation, Zaporizhstal is gradually increasing its capital investments in production during the war: in 2022, investments amounted to UAH 500 million, in 2023 – UAH 750 million, and in 2024 – UAH 938 million. The capital investment budget for 2025 is planned at UAH 1.1 billion.
Zaporizhstal is a joint venture of the Metinvest Group, whose main shareholders are System Capital Management (71.24%) and Smart Steel Limited (23.76%).
