A new video has been released on the YouTube channel of the Club of Experts, in which the Kyiv-based think tank Club of Experts and the Ukrainian Exporters Club presented a joint study on the main risks facing Ukrainian companies in exporting goods in 2023.
Yevheniia Lytvynova, President of the Ukrainian Exporters Club, emphasized that exporters should consider five key risks for their business: currency risk, payment risk, production risk, transportation risk, and bureaucratic risk.
“Understanding these risks is critical for successful exports, especially in the current geopolitical situation, exporters should consider these risks and plan at least 3 months in advance when cooperating with foreign companies,” Lytvynova said.
The experts also reviewed the state of Ukrainian exports in recent years.
“Over the past year, the situation in Ukrainian exports has undergone significant changes. Poland, Romania, and Turkey have become Ukraine’s main trading partners,” explained Maksym Urakin, founder of the Club of Experts.
He added that in 2022, Ukraine exported goods worth $44 billion, which is 35% less than in the previous year. The main profit in the global market came from the export of grains and vegetable oils, although exports of metallurgical products declined.
The Club of Experts and the Club of Exporters also emphasized the importance of supporting Ukrainian exporters in the current global market environment.
“We recommend Ukrainian exporters to contact our clubs with questions about certification, access to foreign markets and opening production facilities abroad. We are always ready to help and advise,” emphasized Yevgeniya Litvinova.
She urged Ukrainian companies to be active in the global market.
“We want Ukrainian companies to maintain competitive prices for their goods while working with foreign partners. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions related to exports,” added Ms. Litvinova.
Yevheniya Lytvynova urged Ukrainian companies not to lose hope and to actively develop their capabilities.
“Ukrainian exports have great potential, and we believe that cooperation with the Club of Experts and the Club of Exporters will help companies realize it,” she said.
In conclusion, the speakers noted that they plan to devote the next session to imports and import-related risks. They called on all stakeholders to join the discussion and explore new opportunities for the development of export-import business in Ukraine.
The experts also emphasized that in order to enter new export markets and verify counterparties around the world, we suggest that Ukrainian exporters consider products and solutions from Dun & Bradstreet, the world leader in the market of information on legal entities.
Watch the full video here:
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CLUB_OF_EXPERTS, CLUB_OF_EXPORTERS, EXPORT, EXPORT RISKS, IMPORT, INCOTERMS
Exports of agricultural products from Ukraine in March 2023 increased by 12% compared to the previous month and reached a record 7.8 million tons since the war, the Ukrainian Confederation of Agrarian Business (UCAB) said in a statement on its website.
“51% of exports in March 2023 were made through the work of the “grain corridor”, and the rest through alternative export routes. However, it is necessary to take into account that not all products had time to physically cross the border,” UCAB pointed out.
According to the data of UCAB, in March 2023, vegetable oils showed the largest increase in the structure of exports – by 28%, to 556.2 thousand tons, oilseeds – by 23%, to 683.1 thousand tons, cereals – by 10%, to 5.7 million tons (corn – 67%, wheat – 29%, barley – 4%) and oilcake – by 10%, to 454.7 thousand tons (sunflower – 83%, soybean oil – 17%).
According to analysts, the important news for the Ukrainian export in March 2023 was the continuation of the “grain corridor”.
“The existence of such an export channel gives hope to Ukrainian agrarians to realize the rest of products of the 2022 harvest and receive funds to continue their economic activities, beginning from the spring sowing season, which is already in full swing”, – the UCAB noted.
The main problem is the significant gap between the world price and the price of major crops on the Ukrainian market. Reducing of this gap would help farmers to accumulate funds for the purchase of fertilizers, pesticides, the use of which will be minimal this year due to limited financial resources of farmers, UCAB summarized.
Ukraine managed to export 265 thousand tons of sugar in 7 months of the current marketing year (MY, September 2022 – August 2023), which is 4.8 times more than in the entire 2021-2022 marketing year, said Nazar Mykhailovyn, acting Chairman of the Board of the National Association of Sugar Producers of Ukraine Ukrtsukor.
“For the entire period of 2021/2022 MY, 55 thousand tons of sugar were exported. From September 1, 2022, to March 28, 2023, Ukraine increased exports by 4.8 times to 265 thousand tons,” he said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.
According to Mikhailovin, in 2022, 23 Ukrainian sugar factories produced 1.33 million tons of sugar, while a year earlier 33 enterprises produced 1.45 million tons. “The reduction in sugar production by 120 thousand tons with 30% of production capacities not used was not critical for Ukraine. In addition, we had a surplus and significant carry-over balances from 2021/2022 MY in the amount of 491 thousand tons,” the head of the association said.
He reminded that as of the beginning of the war, sugar exports from Ukraine were suspended due to the hostilities. On June 5, 2022, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted a resolution to allow sugar exports under licenses issued by the Ministry of Economy. Due to the hostilities and the lack of seaports, Ukraine was forced to change the geography of exports. According to the European Union’s decision, Ukraine can ship sugar to Europe without tariff quotas and duties.
According to Mykhailovyn, due to drought and poor sugar beet harvest, as well as higher natural gas prices than in Ukraine, Europe produced less sugar, and it was more expensive than Ukrainian sugar. “Ukraine was able to sell sugar in Europe at a decent price,” he stated.
Export of Ukraine by countries in Jan-Nov 2022
Source: Open4Business.com.ua and experts.news
Export changes in % to previous period in 2021-2022
Source: Open4Business.com.ua and experts.news
Export of goods in Jan-Nov 2022 to most important positions and in relation to same period of 2021
Source: Open4Business.com.ua and experts.news
