Ukraine in January-February 2018 considerably increased exports of medicines to Russia, cutting their imports from the country. According to the State Statistics Service, in January-February 2018, Ukraine exported medicines for $3.5 million to Russia, which is 18% more than a year ago. Imports of medicines from Russia to Ukraine over the period fell by 40.4%, to $2.85 million.
Last year Ukraine exported medicines to Russia for $27.89 million, which is 31.9% more than a year ago, and imported medicines for $29.79 million from Russia (15.9% down). In 2017, Ukraine exported medicines for $171.17 million, including to the CIS for $143.057 million.
As reported, at present, because of the sanctions imposed on Russia, Russia is discussing the ways of replacing imported medicines and reducing dependence on foreign pharmaceutical companies. The decline in the imports of Russian medicines to Ukraine began after the introduction of the requirement of compliance of drugs with GMP standards in Ukraine.
Ukraine as of April 17, 2018 fully used six quotas for duty free exports of goods under the agreement on the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with the EU (DCFTA), in particular for honey, malt and wheat gluten, preserved tomatoes, grape and apple juices, as well as wheat and corn. According to a report on the website of the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB), Ukraine also used the second quarterly quota for export of poultry and the six month quota for butter. The quotas for cereals and flour have been used by 95%.
“This year there was a revival in the pace of using the quotas: as of the same date in 2017, the volume of wheat had not yet been used, and the quota for malt and wheat gluten had not been used in the past year. The fact that along with six key quotas four more are closed indicates the intensification of trade relations with the EU,” an analyst of the foreign trade in agricultural products of the UCAB, Daria Hrytsenko, said.
According to the results in January-February of this year, agri-food exports from Ukraine to the EU increased 28.1%, or $224.7 million compared to the same period last year, and reached $1.025 billion, according to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food.
Ukraine in January-March 2018 exported 169,941 tonnes of nitrogen mineral or chemical fertilizers for $34.238 million, while imported 558,292 tonnes worth $117.265 million. According to the State Fiscal Service, nitrogen fertilizers exports to Turkey amounted to $14.846 million, Mexico to $7.085 million, Romania to $3.983 million, and other countries to $8.325 million. Nitrogen fertilizers in the first quarter of the year were imported from the Russian Federation for $21.929 million, Uzbekistan for $21.929 million, Lithuania for $15.372 million and other countries for $49.1 million.
In addition, Ukraine in January-March of this year exported 1,474 tonnes of ammonia (code 2814) for $433,000, imported 114,906 tonnes for $41.965 million. All the ammonia was imported from the Russian Federation.
As reported, in 2011, Ukraine exported nitrogen fertilizers for $1.69 billion, and imported – for $153.347 million, in 2012 – for $1.695 billion and $163.234 million, in 2013 – for $1.134 billion and $211.822 million, in 2014 – for $647.623 million and $175.747 million, in 2015 – for $521.552 million and $212.931 million, in 2016 – for $321.614 million and $216.095 million, in 2017 – for $ 125.427 million and $337.346 million.
In 2011, Ukraine exported ammonia for $594.942 million, and imported – by $0.006 million, in 2012 – for $640.281 million and $0.026 million, in 2013 – for $628.606 million and $40.412 million, in 2014 – for $314.713 million and $43.518 million, in 2015 – for $251.937 million and $28.676 million, in 2016 – for $40.569 million and $51.802 million, in 2017 – $42.969 million and $123.012 million.
Enterprises of the Ukrainian space industry exported about 50% of manufactured products and services in 2017, the press service of the State Space Agency of Ukraine (SSAU) has reported. According to a report posted on the website of the agency, in the total volume of sales of the industry’s goods and services worth UAH 4.7 billion, the share of exports amounted to 49.3%, or 8.1% more than in 2016.
According to the press service, the share of exports to the U.S., EU countries and other countries amounted to 92.9%, or UAH 2.11 billion, in total exports.
Export growth for the reporting period was demonstrated by export-oriented enterprises, in particular, Arsenal Special Device Production State Enterprise – 57.4%, Pavlohrad Chemical Plant – 139.7%, Pivdenne Design Bureau – 19.6%, and PJSC Hartron – 63%.
According to the agency, enterprises operating in the space industry increased production by 26.3% in 2017 year-over-year, to UAH 4.6 billion. Gross production grew by 22% and exceeded UAH 5.49 billion. The growth of sales at the end of the year amounted to 24%.
SSAU currently manages 26 enterprises and organizations of the space industry. The state budget for 2017 envisages UAH 2.91 billion for financing the space industry, or 14.2% less than in 2016. In the total amount of financing, 61.5% of the funds from the state budget’s general fund are envisaged for the fulfillment of debt obligations on previously attracted loans for the implementation of international industry projects.
