In January-March this year, Ukraine increased its exports of ferroalloys in physical terms by 40.3 times compared to the same period last year, up to 27.678 thousand tons from 687 tons.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS) on Tuesday, exports of ferroalloys increased 12.2 times in monetary terms to $29.540 million.
The main exports were to Algeria (35.15% of supplies in monetary terms), Poland (33.63%) and Italy (12.66%).
In addition, Ukraine imported 10.990 thousand tons of these products in 3 months of 2025, a decrease of 58.2% compared to the first quarter of 2024. In monetary terms, imports fell by 53.2% to $19.383 million. Imports were carried out mainly from Norway (23.64%), Georgia (17.05%) and Kazakhstan (15.10%).
As reported, Pokrovsky Mining and Processing Plant (PGOK, formerly Ordzhonikidze Mining and Processing Plant) and Marganetsky Mining and Processing Plant (MGOK, both in Dnipropetrovska oblast), both part of Privat Group, stopped mining and processing of crude manganese ore in late October and early November 2023, while NFP and ZFP stopped smelting ferroalloys. In the summer of 2024, ferroalloy plants resumed production at a minimal level.
In 2024, Ukraine reduced exports of ferroalloys in physical terms by 4.45 times compared to 2023 – to 77.316 thousand tons from 344.173 thousand tons, while in monetary terms, exports decreased by 3.4 times – to $88.631 million from $297.595 million. The main exports were to Poland (27.40% of supplies in monetary terms), Turkey (21.53%) and Italy (19.82%).
In addition, last year Ukraine imported 82.259 thousand tons of these products compared to 14.203 thousand tons in 2023 (an increase of 5.8 times). In monetary terms, imports increased by 3.3 times to $140.752 million from $42.927 million. Imports were carried out mainly from Poland (32.71%), Norway (19.55%) and Kazakhstan (13.90%).
Prior to the nationalization of the financial institution, PrivatBank organized the business of ZZF, NZF, Stakhanovsky ZF (which is on the NKT), Pokrovske and Marganetske GOKs. Nikopol Ferroalloy Plant is controlled by EastOne Group, created in the fall of 2007 as a result of the restructuring of Interpipe Group, and Privat Group.
Exports of Ukrainian chicken eggs in January-March 2025 amounted to 496 million units, which is twice as much as in the same period last year, the Union of Poultry Breeders of Ukraine (UBU) reported.
“The doubling of exports in the first three months of the year, compared to January-March 2024, did not negatively affect the supply of eggs on the domestic market. Traditionally, on the eve of Easter, the demand for eggs increases, but this year, as in the past, no shortage of products is expected and consumers will be able to count on affordable price offers in sufficient quantities during the Easter holidays,” the association noted.
The industry association emphasized that in 2025 there were significant changes in the geography of exports. The share of EU countries increased to 72%, but this growth is only 3% compared to the same period in 2024.
Deliveries to African countries increased, where the global environment offered quite favorable conditions for trade. The share of the African continent increased to 8%, while last year it was 5%, and in 2023, no eggs were exported at all during this period.
In 2025, Ukraine began supplying eggs to the UK, with a share of 7%. On the other hand, Singapore’s share in the regional export structure decreased from 15% in 2023 to 4% in 2025.
Deliveries to Israel are stable, although the share has decreased to 9%, but the physical volume of exports has not changed compared to January-March 2024.
Exports to the Middle East are almost non-existent due to logistical issues and high competition in the region from other exporting countries.
“The European market will continue to be a priority for exports due to convenient logistics and high demand for Ukrainian products. Until recently, only 4 companies had the right to export to the EU, and today there are already 15. In the future, Ukrainian exporters will maintain strong positions in the EU markets, offering safe and high-quality products,” the Union of Poultry Breeders of Ukraine summarized.
As reported earlier, the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU) has issued binding recommendations to the ten largest producers and sellers of chicken eggs to prevent violations of the legislation on protection of economic competition.
In January-March this year, Ukrainian mining companies reduced exports of iron ore by 5.7% in physical terms compared to the same period last year, to 8 million 492.479 thousand tons.
According to the statistics released by the State Customs Service on Tuesday, foreign exchange earnings from iron ore exports decreased by 20.3% to $687.788 million during this period.
Exports of iron ore were carried out mainly to China (46.46% of supplies in monetary terms), Poland (16.05%) and Slovakia (16.14%).
In January-March 2025, Ukraine imported iron ore worth $24 thousand in the amount of 43 tons from Norway (54.17%) and Italy (45.83%), while in the same period last year it imported 245 tons worth $67 thousand.
As reported, in 2024, Ukraine increased its exports of iron ore by 89.8% compared to 2023 – up to 33 million 699.722 thousand tons, while foreign exchange earnings increased by 58.7% to UAH 2 billion 803.223 million.
In 2024, Ukraine imported iron ore for $414 thousand in a total volume of 2,042 thousand tons, while in 2023, 250 tons of this raw material were imported for $135 thousand.
In 2023, Ukraine decreased exports of iron ore in physical terms by 26% compared to 2022 – to 17 million 753.165 thousand tons, foreign exchange earnings from iron ore exports amounted to $1 billion 766.906 million (down 39.3%). In 2023, Ukraine imported iron ore worth $135 thousand in a total volume of 250 tons.
In March, Ukraine increased electricity exports by 131% to 76.3 thousand MWh, while imports increased by 11% to 272.3 thousand MWh, Ukrainian energy and climate think tank DiXi Group reported citing Energy map.
According to its information, half of electricity exports went to Hungary – 38.1 thousand MWh. Another 17.8 thousand MWh, which amounted to 23% of total exports, went to Moldova, 11.1 thousand MWh (15%) to Romania, 8.4 thousand MWh (11%) to Slovakia, and 1 thousand MWh (1%) to Poland.
At the same time, it is noted that compared to March-2024, exports fell by half – then it amounted to 154.1 thousand MWh.
According to DiXi Group experts, out of 272.3 thousand MWh of imports, the largest share came from Hungary – 113.8 thousand MWh (42%). Another 52.7 thousand MWh (19%) came from Slovakia, 48.1 thousand MWh (18%) from Poland, 44.6 thousand MWh (16%) from Romania, and 13.2 thousand MWh (5%) from Moldova.
Compared to March 2014, when imports amounted to 168.3 thousand MWh, its figures in March 2015 increased by 1.6 times.
The increase in purchases was recorded from almost all available directions (from 4% to 480%), except for Slovakia – the volume of imports from this country decreased by 28%.
In total, in March, the volume of imports was almost 4 times higher than exports, DiXi Group notes.
As reported, in February 2025, Ukraine increased electricity imports by 33% to 244.2 thousand MWh compared to January and reduced exports by 61% to 33.1 thousand MWh.
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).
In March 2025, Ukraine exported goods worth $3.62 billion, which is 4.5% more than in March last year ($3.46 billion) and 18% more than in February this year, Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade Representative of Ukraine Taras Kachka said.
“Despite the decline in exports in the first two months of the year, we managed to achieve positive dynamics in March. A significant increase in exports in March compared to February this year was made possible by an increase in the supply of agricultural products, iron ore and metallurgical products,” the press service of the Ministry of Economy quoted him as saying on its website on Tuesday.
According to preliminary data, in the first quarter of 2025, exports of goods reached almost $9.9 billion, the Ministry noted, while last year it exceeded $10 billion. The Ministry’s release does not provide information on imports of goods in March and their dynamics.
“Despite the decline in the physical weight of Ukrainian exports, their monetary value is increasing. In March last year, we exported almost 11.9 million tons, and in March this year – 9.98 million tons. Thus, the share of goods with higher added value is gradually increasing, which means that the Ukrainian processing industry is successfully overcoming obstacles in its development as a result of the war and entering foreign markets,” Kachka emphasized.
He clarified that compared to February of this year, the physical volume of exports in March increased by 15.9%.
According to the trade representative, exports of cast iron in March this year increased by more than 13.4 times (by $110 million) compared to February, sunflower seeds – by 11.5 times (by $15.9 million), oil cake – by 80.3% (by $35.8 million), sunflower oil – by 39.2% (by $141.6 million).
Kachka added that in March, exports by sea increased by 24.7% in monetary terms and 17% in weight compared to February this year, while exports by rail increased by 16.8% in monetary terms and 15.1% in weight.
According to the Ministry of Economy, in March Ukraine exported the following by value: corn ($514.4 million or 2.4 million tons); sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil ($503 million or 441 thousand tons); wheat ($25.5 million or 1.2 million tons). t); wheat ($253.9 million or 1.1 million tons); iron ore and concentrates ($238.4 million or 2.9 million tons); soybeans ($150.2 million or 369.2 thousand tons); insulated wires ($124.6 million or 6.5 thousand tons) and pig iron ($118.9 million or 300.9 thousand tons).
Ukrainian producers exported most of their goods to Poland ($407.7 million), Turkey ($294.3 million), Italy ($231.8 million), Germany ($196.3 million), China ($189.4 million), and Spain ($185.7 million).
The European Union remains Ukraine’s key trading partner. In March, Ukraine exported $2.04 billion worth of goods to the EU, or 6.1% more than in February.
