In February 2025, Ukraine increased the total volume of foreign trade in dairy products to $45.6 million, which is 8.5% more than in January 2025 ($42.0 million), but 16.4% lower than in December 2024 ($54.5 million), the Union of Dairy Enterprises of Ukraine reported.
According to the report, dairy exports in February 2025 amounted to $24.2 million and increased by 25% compared to January 2025 ($19.3 million) and by 51% compared to December 2024 ($16.0 million). The growth occurred in all commodity items, especially in milk and condensed cream (+0.91 thousand tons) and butter and milk fats (+0.25 thousand tons).
At the same time, 36% of the export structure was accounted for by milk and condensed cream, 30% by butter, and 20% by cheese.
Experts emphasized that such significant export volumes have not been recorded since October 2022.
Instead, import volumes continued to decline and became the lowest in the last six months: in February 2025, they amounted to $21.4 million and decreased by 6% compared to January 2025 ($22.7 million) and by 44% compared to December 2024 ($38.5 million). Moreover, the volume of cheese imports was standard, while the volume of fermented dairy products imports decreased by 14.5% compared to January.
The export-import balance in February 2025 was positive: ($2.8 million) – against $(-3.4) million in January 2025 and $(-22.6) million in December 2024.
Exports in value terms exceeded imports by 13% in February 2025 (0.85 times in January 2025, 0.41 times in December 2024).
As of March 3, Ukraine exported 29.202 mln tonnes of grains and pulses since the beginning of 2024-2025 marketing year (MY, July-June), of which 84 thsd tonnes were shipped this month, the press service of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food reported, citing the data of the State Customs Service.
According to the report, as of March 4 last year, the total shipments amounted to 29.951 mln tonnes, including 270 thsd tonnes in March.
In terms of crops, since the beginning of the current season, Ukraine has exported 12.014 million tons of wheat (31 thousand tons in March), 2.126 million tons of barley (0), 10.8 thousand tons of rye (0), and 14.62 million tons of corn (53 thousand tons).
The total export of Ukrainian flour since the beginning of the season as of February 26 is estimated at 47.8 thsd tonnes (4.2 thsd tonnes in February), including 44.1 thsd tonnes of wheat (3.9 thsd tonnes).
China’s exports in January-February 2025 reached a record $540 billion, up 2.3% year-on-year, Bloomberg reports. However, the country’s imports unexpectedly fell by 8.4%, leading to a significant trade surplus of $171 billion.
According to analysts, the growth in exports is partly due to accelerated deliveries as Chinese companies seek to circumvent possible new trade barriers from the United States. The U.S. administration is considering additional tariffs on Chinese goods, which could affect the competitiveness of Chinese products.
China remains the largest exporter in the world, supplying products to a wide range of industries. Among the key export products:
Electronics and technology – smartphones, computers, semiconductors.
Machinery – industrial machines, cars and components.
Consumer goods – clothing, footwear, household appliances.
Metals and chemicals – aluminum, steel, plastics.
Renewable energy – solar panels, lithium-ion batteries.
Services – IT development, digital platforms, logistics.
The drop in imports may indicate weak domestic demand, as well as China’s desire to develop self-sufficiency in strategic industries.
Ukraine and the People’s Republic of China have signed an agreement on the terms of export of Ukrainian aquatic products and peas to China, the press service of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food reports.
“The Ministry of Agrarian Policy continues to work on opening new markets and scaling up existing ones. Today we have signed an important agreement with the People’s Republic of China,” Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Vitaliy Koval said on Telegram.
According to the report, the agreement will allow Ukrainian farmers to gain access to one of the world’s largest markets, expand their presence in China, and support producers, especially in the fisheries and grain sectors. Ukraine will be able to increase exports and foreign exchange earnings, diversify its markets and integrate into global trade chains.
These agreements are the result of a dialogue between our countries and a series of high-level meetings. It was also the result of active cooperation between the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, associations, the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China, and the Chinese Ambassador to Ukraine, Ma Shengkun. I am confident that we have laid a solid foundation for expanding cooperation, as the last time such a contract was signed with China was more than 5 years ago,” the Minister summarized.
In July-January of 2024-2025 marketing year (MY), Ukraine exported 40.4 thsd tonnes of wheat flour, down 36.1% year-on-year, reports the Association of Millers, citing the State Customs Service.
According to the infographics published in Facebook, the export volumes in the season-24/25 are slightly lower than in the previous seasons – for 7 months of 2023/24 MY Ukraine exported 63.2 thsd tonnes of wheat flour, and in 2022/23 MY – 79.8 thsd tonnes.
At the same time, about 17.0 thsd tonnes were exported to the EU countries, almost 12.4 thsd tonnes – to Moldova, 8.1 thsd tonnes – to Palestine, 1.5 thsd tonnes – to Israel.
As of March 5, Ukraine exported 29.68 mln tonnes of grains and pulses since the beginning of 2024-2025 marketing year (MY, July-2024 – June-2025), of which 490 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 March 8 last year, the total shipments amounted to 30.989 mln tonnes, including 1.319 mln tonnes in March.
At the same time, since the beginning of the current season, Ukraine has exported 12.155 mln tonnes of wheat (12.375 mln tonnes in 2023/24 MY), 2.126 mln tonnes of barley (1.761 mln tonnes), 10.8 thsd tonnes of rye (1 thsd tonnes), and 14.924 mln tonnes of corn (16.569 mln tonnes).
The total export of Ukrainian flour since the beginning of the season as of March 5 is estimated at 49 thsd tonnes (in 2023/24 MY – 74.9 thsd tonnes), including 45.2 thsd tonnes of wheat (71.1 thsd tonnes).
