Over seven months of 2025, Ukraine exported frozen vegetables worth USD 6.1 million, according to an analytical review of the State Service for Agrarian Policy and Investments. The export structure is dominated by such products as frozen carrots, beets, celery, lettuce, chicory and potatoes.
The growth of frozen vegetable exports can be partly explained by the rapid development of the berry sector in the agro-sector. After the rapid increase in raspberry production, many companies invested in freezing facilities. Using them to their full potential, they expanded their product range to include a variety of fruits and vegetables.
Despite strong growth, Ukraine is still a net importer of frozen vegetables – exports are inferior to imports. This indicates the accumulated potential for further growth and diversification of the assortment in the future.
Key markets for Ukrainian frozen vegetables include Germany, Israel, Belgium, Italy, Poland, France, France, Italy and Romania.
Growing exports of frozen vegetables are a signal of industry adaptation and efficient use of resources. Particularly impressive is the diversification into frozen products, a move that allows Ukrainian producers to enter new markets and sustainably consolidate in existing ones. Nevertheless, the persistent deficit in the balance of exports and imports requires attention to quality, product mix and brand development. Increased support for local processors, modernization of freezing and logistics chains, and promotion in foreign markets are key factors for further growth.
Ukraine increased imports of lead and lead products by 7.7 times to $4.723 million (in July – $718 thousand), while exports of lead and lead products decreased by 15.6% to $5.482 million (in July – $1.022 million).
Lead is currently mainly used in the production of lead-acid batteries for the automotive industry. In addition, lead is used in the manufacture of bullets and certain alloys.
In January-June 2025, Ukraine increased exports of dairy products by 51.4% to 327,000 tons compared to 216,000 tons in the same period of 2024,
while exports of milk-containing products increased by 35.8% to 410,000 tons compared to 302,000 tons, according to the Ukrainian Dairy Industry Association (SMU).
The industry association noted that the share of milk that was processed and exported from the country in the form of dairy products is growing.
According to analysts, the growth was most noticeable in January-June: the ratio of exports of dairy and milk-containing products (in milk equivalent) to the volume of milk sent for processing was 22.7%, with an increase to 25.9% in the second quarter compared to 19.3% in the first quarter.
This means that while in the first quarter approximately one-fifth of milk was used for the production of dairy products for export, by the end of the first half of the year this figure had risen to almost a quarter of the milk sent for processing, experts explained.
“Milk processing plants in Ukraine are increasing milk purchases, fully meeting the needs of the domestic market, and using all available opportunities to develop export markets,” the SMPA assured.
In January-July 2025, Ukraine increased imports of aluminum and aluminum products by 20.1% to $300.252 million (in July – $45.832 million). Exports of aluminum and aluminum products during this period increased by 33.1% compared to the same period in 2024, to $85.707 million (in July – $14.839 million).
Aluminum is widely used as a structural material. The main advantages of aluminum are its lightness, malleability, corrosion resistance, high thermal conductivity, and non-toxicity of its compounds. In particular, these properties have made aluminum extremely popular in the manufacture of kitchen utensils, aluminum foil in the food industry, and for packaging. The first three properties have made aluminum the main raw material in the aviation and aerospace industries (recently, it has been replaced by composite materials, primarily carbon fiber). After construction and the production of packaging—aluminum cans and foil—the largest consumer of aluminum is the energy sector.
In July this year, Ukraine exported about 1.98 thousand tons of live cattle, which is 62% more than in the previous month and 14% more than in July last year, according to the Association of Milk Producers (AMP).
The association noted that the cash proceeds from exported animals amounted to $4.19 million, which was 24% less than in June 2025, but 32% more than in July last year. In January-July 2025, Ukraine exported 11.71 thousand tons of live cattle (+72% compared to the same period last year) worth $25.65 million (+111%).
In July, Ukrainian exporters supplied 35 tons of fresh or chilled beef to foreign markets, 70 times more than in June this year and 50 times more than in the same period last year. Export proceeds for the goods delivered amounted to $165,000, which was only 9% higher than in the previous month, but 20 times higher than in July 2024.
In January-July 2025, Ukraine shipped 101 tons of chilled beef (-89%) worth $587 thousand (-89%) to foreign markets.
At the same time, the actual volume of frozen beef exports from Ukraine in July 2025 amounted to 1.68 thousand tons, which is 4% more than in June 2025, but 1% less than in July 2024. Revenue from goods delivered in this segment amounted to almost $7.56 million (-48% and -9%, respectively).
In January-July 2025, Ukraine exported 11.27 thousand tons of frozen beef (+21% compared to the same period last year) worth $45.14 million (+17%).
“The increase in Ukraine’s exports of live cattle and beef in July is fully in line with the situation on the world market. The supply of cows and red meat on the world market is declining,” explained AVM analyst Georgy Kukhaleishvili.
At the same time, Ukraine imported 242 tons of live cattle in July 2025, which is 1% less than in June 2025, but 125% more than in July last year. Imports of chilled beef fell to 10 tons (down 30% from the previous month and 20% from a year ago), while frozen beef imports fell to 123 tons (down 17% and 39%, respectively).
In January-July 2025, Ukraine increased imports of live cattle by 36% compared to the same period last year, to 494 tons, chilled beef imports to 80 tons (+10%), and frozen beef imports to 941 tons (-36%).
The foreign trade balance in July 2025 was positive and amounted to $8.81 million, according to the AVM.
In January-July of this year, Ukrainian enterprises increased imports of copper and copper products in value terms by 29.1% compared to the same period last year, to $109.984 million.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service of Ukraine on Tuesday, exports of copper and copper products during the period increased by 12.7% to $55.437 million.
In July, copper imports amounted to $16.821 million, while exports amounted to $9.357 million.
Copper is widely used in electrical engineering, pipe manufacturing, alloy production, medicine, and other industries.
