In January-February 2026, Ukraine increased imports of nickel and nickel products 2.3 times compared to the same period last year, to $4.518 million (in February – $2.052 million).
Exports of nickel and nickel products amounted to $51,000 (in February – $47,000), while in January-February 2025 they amounted to $33,000.
In addition, in 2025 Ukraine reduced imports of nickel and nickel products by 2.7% compared to 2024 – to $26.011 million.
Exports of nickel and nickel products amounted to $1.420 million, compared to $602 thousand in 2024.
Nickel is used in the production of stainless steel and for nickel plating. Nickel is also used in the production of batteries, in powder metallurgy, and in chemical reagents.
Oat exports from Ukraine in January-February 2026 decreased by 98% compared to the same period in 2025, according to the information and analytical agency APK-Inform, citing its own monitoring data.
According to the report, 506 tons of oats were shipped to foreign markets in January, while in February, exports fell to 215 tons. The main buyers of Ukrainian oats in December 2025 were Turkey and India, whose shares in the structure of shipments were 90.3% and 4%, respectively.
“The decline in exports is due to the suspension of purchases by leading importing countries — Turkey and India. At the same time, demand prices for oats in 2026 are mainly fixed in the previously formed range — 8,900-10,500 UAH/ton CPT port,” analysts said.
APK-Inform noted that despite minimal export volumes, the domestic market maintains stable price indicators in ports. This allows producers to hold grain in anticipation of a recovery in demand from major trading partners.
In January-February of this year, Ukrainian enterprises reduced imports of copper and copper products in monetary terms by 11.6% compared to the same period last year, to $26.757 million.
According to customs statistics released by the State Customs Service of Ukraine on Tuesday, exports of copper and copper products during the specified period decreased by 14.6% to $12.213 million.
In February, copper imports amounted to $15.724 million, while exports amounted to $7.260 million.
As reported, in 2025, Ukrainian enterprises increased imports of copper and copper products in monetary terms by 23.2% compared to the previous year, to $173.453 million, while exports of copper and copper products grew by 17.7%, to $103.848 million.
Copper is widely used in electrical engineering, in the production of pipes, for creating alloys, in medicine, and in other industries.
Earlier, the Experts Club information and analytical center released a video dedicated to global copper production and leading producing countries – https://youtube.com/shorts/_h8iU50z8C0?si=a-XkgGEfeUxseQNa
In January-February of this year, Ukrainian metallurgical companies reduced their revenues from ferrous metal exports by 1% compared to the same period last year, from $419.20 million to $415.10 million.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS) on Tuesday, ferrous metals accounted for 6.42% of total export revenues during this period, compared to 6.67% in January-February 2025.
In February 2026, export revenues amounted to $210.24 million, compared to $205.08 million in the previous month.
At the same time, Ukraine increased imports of similar products by 6.6% in January-February 2026, to $243.31 million, including $120.59 million worth of products imported in February.
In addition, in January-February 2026, Ukraine reduced exports of metal products by 25.8% to $107.37 million, with $58.79 million exported in February.
Imports of metal products during this period increased by 13.5% to $156.61 million, of which $79.88 million was imported in February.
As reported, Ukrainian metal companies increased their revenues from ferrous metal exports by 7.85% in 2025 compared to the previous year, to $3 billion 339.49 million. Ferrous metals accounted for 8.25% of total export revenues for the year, compared to 7.42% in 2024. At the same time, Ukraine increased imports of similar products by 12.9% in 2025, to $1 billion 669.54 million. In addition, last year Ukraine reduced exports of metal products by 3%, to $916.15 million. Imports of metal products increased by 24.4% over the year, to $1 billion 290.61 million.
In 2024, metal companies increased their revenues from ferrous metal exports by 16.9% compared to the previous year, to $3 billion 96.34 million. At the same time, Ukraine increased imports of similar products by 13.1%, to $1 billion 478.81 million.
In 2023, Ukraine reduced its revenues from ferrous metal exports by 41.6% compared to 2022, to $2 billion 647.72 million, with ferrous metals accounting for 7.3% of total revenues from goods exports, while in 2022 the share was 10.3%. At the same time, Ukraine increased imports of similar products by 37% in 2023, to $1 billion 307.05 million. In addition, in the same year, Ukraine reduced exports of metal products by 16.6% compared to the previous year, to $877.92 million. At the same time, imports of metal products increased by 40.3%, to $902.57 million.
Barley exports from Ukraine in the 2025/2026 marketing year (MY, July-June) are forecast at 2.8 million tons, which is 22% higher than the previous season, according to the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UACB) on Facebook.
The association’s analysts noted that barley production has remained relatively stable during the years of war, although it has declined significantly compared to the pre-war period. In 2025/26 MY, Ukraine harvested 5.3 million tons of this crop, which is 0.4% more than in the previous marketing year, but 19.7% less than the average for the last five years.
Among the key trends of the season, experts highlighted the largest reduction in barley acreage among all grains due to the temporary occupation of territories and low export potential. The area under cultivation was 1.4 million hectares, which is 0.9% less than in the previous marketing year and 26.4% below the five-year average. At the same time, barley was the only grain crop to show an increase in yield to 3.9 tons/ha, which was 8.4% higher than the average for the last five years.
Experts emphasized that increased production and high carryover stocks allowed for increased shipments to foreign markets after a decline in the 2024/2025 season. At the same time, Ukraine continues to experience a prolonged decline in domestic barley consumption, which is estimated at 2.8 million tons in the current marketing year. Of this volume, 1.9 million tons are used for feed, and 0.2 million tons are used for food.
“Despite the largest reduction in acreage among all grains, barley managed to maintain production volumes thanks to increased yields. The decline in domestic consumption and the availability of carryover stocks will allow Ukraine to increase exports in the 2025/2026 marketing year, meeting the demand of countries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East,” the UACB concluded.
The gross grain harvest in Ukraine in the 2026-2027 marketing year (MY, July-June) is forecast at 58.7 million tons, which is 4% lower than the current season’s figures, according to the information and analytical agency APK-Inform.
According to analysts’ March estimates, the wheat harvest is expected to reach almost 20 million tons, which is 14% less than in the current season. Barley harvest may amount to 5.1 million tons (-5%), while corn production is forecast at 31.8 million tons, which is 3% higher than last year.
“This forecast is based on the reduction in the area sown with winter crops due to the drought in the fall and unfavorable weather conditions in February this year, which may lead to the partial destruction of winter crops in some regions, as well as a possible slight increase in the area sown with corn due to the replanting of winter crops amid high demand for this grain,” the agency explains.
At the same time, despite the expected decline in gross harvest, experts estimated the export potential of grains in 2026/27 MY at 42 million tons, which is 4% more than in 2025/26 MY. The growth in supplies to foreign markets will be facilitated by high carryover stocks from the current season, which may amount to 11.4 million tons, APK-Inform concluded.
