In January of this year, Ukraine increased exports of ferroalloys in physical terms by 35.4 times compared to the same period last year, up to 8,331 thousand tons from 235 tons.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service, exports of ferroalloys increased 10-fold to $8.655 million in monetary terms.
The main exports were to Algeria (42.11% of supplies in monetary terms), Poland (41.96%) and Austria (8.79%).
In addition, last month Ukraine imported 5.298 thousand tons of these products, a 24.5% decrease compared to January 2014. In monetary terms, imports fell by 33.8% to $8.442 million.
Imports were mainly from Norway (32.80%), Kazakhstan (27.85%) and Georgia (9.11%).
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, established in the fall of 2007 as a result of the restructuring of Interpipe Group, and Privat Group.
In January of this year, Ukraine reduced exports of processed pig iron by 9.6% in physical terms compared to the same period last year, to 128.592 thousand tons.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS), pig iron exports in monetary terms increased by 3.2% to $51.581 million in the period under review.
Exports were mainly to the United States (89.95% of shipments in monetary terms), the Netherlands (3.83%) and Poland (3.48%).
In the first month of the year, the country did not import pig iron, as it did in January 2014.
As reported, in 2024, Ukraine reduced exports of processed pig iron by 3.4% in physical terms compared to 2023 – to 1 million 290.622 thousand tons, and by 6.1% in monetary terms – to $500.341 million. Exports were mainly to the United States (72.64% of supplies in monetary terms), Turkey (8.03%) and Italy (7.30%).
In 2024, the country imported 38 tons of pig iron worth $90 thousand from Germany, while in the same period of 2023 it imported 154 tons of pig iron worth $156 thousand.
In January of this year, Ukrainian companies reduced exports of ferrous scrap by 8.5% year-on-year to 15,696 thousand tons from 17,160 thousand tons.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS), 31.612 thousand tons of scrap were exported in December 2014, 34.608 thousand tons in November and 24.549 thousand tons in October.
In monetary terms, scrap exports in January decreased by 13.2% to $4.406 million from $5.078 million.
Scrap metal exports in January-2025 were carried out mainly to Poland (96.57% of supplies in monetary terms) and Germany (3.43%).
In the first month of the year, Ukraine imported 3 tons of scrap metal worth $1 thousand from the British Virgin Islands.
As reported, in 2024, Ukraine’s scrap collecting enterprises increased exports of ferrous scrap by 60.7% compared to 2023 – to 293,190 thousand tons from 182,465 thousand tons. In monetary terms, the export of scrap metal increased by 73.2% to $91.311 million from $52.723 million over the year. Scrap metal exports in 2024 were mainly to Poland (81.80%), Greece (13.75%) and Germany (3.19%).
For the whole of last year, the country imported 104 tons of scrap metal worth $110 thousand, while in 2023 it imported 1,075 thousand tons worth $411 thousand. Imports were carried out mainly from Turkey (64.55% in monetary terms), the British Virgin Islands (16.36%) and Panama (8.18%).
The exports of high-oleic sunflower oil from Ukraine in 2024-2025 marketing year continue to decline, which is typical for the sector for the fifth consecutive season, APK-Inform news agency reported.
“In September-December of the current season, the country shipped only 57 thsd tonnes of the oil to the foreign markets, which is 52% down from the same period last season and the lowest in the last seven seasons,” the analysts said.
Moreover, the share of high oleic oil in the total exports of sunflower oil in 2024/25 MY decreased to 3%, compared to 5-8% in the previous several seasons.
“The main reasons for the decline in the supply of high oleic sunflower oil are the decrease in the production of high oleic sunflower last year and the restraint of the oilseed sales by the farmers due to the significant increase in the price of the classic hybrids of the crop and the record premiums for high oleic sunflower from the Ukrainian processors,” the experts explained.
Thus, given the available stocks of HO sunflower oil among farmers and the likely more active sales of this crop in the spring in the second half of the current season, the volumes of processing and, accordingly, exports of HO oil may increase.
According to the analysts, the potential of exports of HO sunflower oil in the season-2024/25 is about 220-240 thsd tonnes against 289 thsd tonnes in the previous season and may be the lowest in many years.
At the same time, the increase in the price of sunflower oil in the current season and high-oleic oil in particular, as well as the growth of the premium for rapeseed oil on the world market may be the additional factors of the slowdown, APK-Inform forecasts.
In 2024, Nestlé in Ukraine invested more than UAH 900 million in three of its factories, which allowed the company to increase production efficiency and increase exports by 76%, according to a release.
“In 2024, the company invested more than UAH 900 million in the development of its three factories in Ukraine. The investments were focused on employee safety solutions, automation and digitalization of production processes and production lines, employee training and development, improvement of working conditions and infrastructure of production facilities, and technological solutions to reduce the carbon footprint,” the statement said.
The company noted that last year, thanks to investments, while maintaining supplies to 28 countries, it was able to significantly increase its exports: by 76% in volume and 128% in hryvnia equivalent.
“In 2024, the FMCG market in Ukraine grew by slightly less than 10%, including due to volumes. Nestlé also plays a role in this growth. We have similar growth with a focus on volume growth, which can be estimated at 7-8%, which is a consequence of our strategy. We have completely redesigned our portfolio, following consumer trends, and adjusted our promotional activities in line with the market situation,” emphasized Alessandro Zanelli, CEO of Nestlé in Ukraine and South-Eastern Europe.
The company cited the launch of a new line of Street Food sauces under the Torchyn brand as an example of its adaptability to consumer needs in times of war, when there is a lack of outdoor activities. This product category was created with an emphasis on the development of street food dishes, the company said in a statement.
In addition, Nestlé in Ukraine continues to produce products to help Ukrainians affected by the war. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, as of the end of 2024, the company has donated more than UAH 1.3 billion in aid, including food donated through charitable foundations for civilians and the military, as well as cash contributions to support, among others, the UNBROKEN and Superhumans rehabilitation centers.
Nestlé is one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies with operations in 187 countries. It offers a wide range of products and services for families and pets. It has more than 2000 trademarks.
Nestlé started its operations in Ukraine in 1994 with the opening of a representative office, acquired a controlling stake in CJSC Lviv Confectionery Factory Svitoch in 1998, and since 2018 has owned 100% of the company’s shares.
In 2010, Nestlé SA acquired Technocom LLC in Kharkiv, a manufacturer of fast food products under the Mivina brand. In 2012, Nestlé Business Service (NBS Europe) was established in Lviv, which is one of seven Nestlé service centers in the world and provides support services to Nestlé divisions in more than 40 countries.
Nestlé’s business in Ukraine is represented by the following areas: coffee and beverages, confectionery, cooking (cold sauces, condiments, soups, convenience foods), baby and specialty foods, breakfast cereals, and pet food.
In 2025, the company plans to open a new factory in Smolyhiv, Volyn region, which is currently in the final stages of construction. It is expected that 80% of the products manufactured at the new factory will be exported to the EU.
Cow prices in February 2025 increased by 20-46% depending on fatness, according to the Association of Milk Producers (AMP).
According to the report, the average price for cows below average fatness in the first half of February 2025 increased to 73 UAH/kg excluding VAT, which is 23 UAH or 46% more than a month earlier, for cows of average fatness – up to 72 UAH/kg excluding VAT (18.25 UAH or 34% more), for higher fatness – up to 70 UAH/kg excluding VAT (12 UAH or 20% more).
“Over the past few weeks, prices for cattle have been rising in Ukraine, driven by an increase in live exports in December-January. The outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the German state of Brandenburg led to a reduction in the export of live animals from the EU. However, the demand for cattle in foreign markets is quite active during the period of preparation for Ramadan in Muslim countries,” the industry association explained.
