Imports of goods to Ukraine in January-May 2025 reached $31.3 billion, which is 13.8% more than in the same period of 2024, but exports remained at the same level as in the same period last year, at $16.9 billion ($16.8 billion in 2024), according to the State Customs Service of Ukraine.
“Taxable imports amounted to $23.8 billion, accounting for 76% of total imports. The tax burden per 1 kg of taxable imports in January-May 2025 was $0.51/kg,” according to a publication on the agency’s Telegram channel on Friday.
The leaders among importing countries have remained unchanged for the last three months: China – $6.5 billion, Poland – $2.9 billion, and Germany – $2.6 billion.
For the second month in a row, the top three exporting countries are Poland ($2 billion), Turkey ($1.4 billion), and Italy ($1 billion).
In the total volume of goods imported in January-May 2025, 68% were machinery, equipment, and transport—$11.9 billion (with customs clearance of these goods, 75.6 billion UAH, or 29% of customs payments, were paid to the budget), chemical products – $5.2 billion (UAH 41 billion and 15%, respectively), and fuel and energy – $4 billion (UAH 72.6 billion and 27%).
The top three most exported goods from Ukraine traditionally included food products – $9.7 billion, metals and metal products – $1.9 billion, and machinery, equipment, and transport – $1.5 billion.
According to the State Customs Service, in the first five months of 2025, UAH 121.6 million was paid to the budget during customs clearance of exports subject to export duties.
In 2024, Ukraine exported 118,000 tons of dairy products, which is almost twice as much as imports, which reached 60,000 tons, according to the infographic “Dairy Map of Ukraine” for 2024, prepared by the Association of Milk Producers (AMP).
“Despite military losses, targeted shelling and destruction, a forced new wave of closures and relocations of farms from war-torn regions, exhausting blackouts and record heat in June-September 2024, which caused more than 50% of industrial farms to experience a significant drop in milk yields, the Ukrainian dairy industry has demonstrated significant achievements,” the industry association said.
As of January 1, 2025, the number of cows in the industrial sector increased by 1% compared to the previous period. The top five regions in terms of industrial livestock numbers, which together account for 51% of the total industrial cow population in Ukraine, are Poltava (52,700 head), Cherkasy (44,000 head), Chernihiv (35,400 head), Kyiv (34,000 head), and Vinnytsia (31,500 head).
At the same time, the largest increase in the industrial cow population last year was recorded in Mykolaiv (+14%), Ternopil (+10%), Khmelnytskyi (+5%), Cherkasy (+4%), and Kyiv (+3%) regions.
At the same time, there were losses, primarily in the frontline regions, in particular in Zaporizhzhia (-88%), Kharkiv (-47%), Sumy and Chernivtsi (-22%), as well as in Chernihiv (-11%).
According to the AVM, last year more than 90% of raw milk sent for processing was obtained from industrial farms. The leading regions in terms of production were Poltava (445.2 thousand tons), Cherkasy (371.5 thousand tons), Chernihiv (268.3 thousand tons), Kyiv (266.5 thousand tons), and Vinnytsia (260.2 thousand tons).
The largest increase in raw milk production over the year was recorded in the Mykolaiv (+18%), Ternopil (+13%), Khmelnytskyi (+9%), and Zhytomyr and Poltava (+8%) regions. In contrast, a significant decline in production was recorded in the Zaporizhzhia (-87%), Kharkiv (-45%), and Sumy (-6%) regions.
Despite blackouts and abnormal heat in June-September 2024, which led to a 25% reduction in milk yields in more than half of farms, industrial dairy farms (MTF) showed record productivity growth last year. In particular, the average milk yield in the industrial sector reached 8,167 kg/cow per year, which is almost 20% higher than in pre-war 2021.
Analysts noted five regions with the highest productivity of industrial cows in 2024, including: Ternopil (9,905 kg/cow per year), Mykolaiv (9,189 kg/cow per year), Khmelnytskyi (8,817 kg/cow per year), Poltava (8,447 kg/cow per year), and Cherkasy (8,443 kg/cow per year).
In addition, milk quality indicators have improved, with 55% of milk delivered for processing being extra grade and 25.3% being premium grade.
As for the average consumption of dairy products in Ukraine, analysts noted a 4% increase in 2024 to 209.3 kg/person compared to previous and pre-war years. Thus, despite the full-scale invasion, emigration, and reduced purchasing power, Ukrainians maintain stable demand for dairy products.
At the same time, exports of dairy products last year amounted to 118,020 tons, with cash proceeds of $296.81 million (+16% compared to 2023 and +20% compared to 2021).
The top five export categories included dry and condensed milk (25%), cheese (18%), butter (16%), casein (14%), and ice cream (14%).
Last year, 60.27 thousand tons of dairy products worth $290.34 million were delivered to Ukraine, with cheese accounting for 78% of imports. In monetary terms, the value of deliveries increased by 10% by 2023 but decreased by 24% by 2021.
Ukraine maintained a positive foreign trade balance in dairy products last year, exporting almost twice as much as it imported (118 thousand tons against 60 thousand tons), with almost the same value ($296.81 million in exports against $290.34 million in imports).
“This indicates the high added value of imported goods (mainly cheese) and a larger volume of exports (e.g., milk powder, butter, casein),” analysts concluded.
Albania is considering importing beef, lamb, and processed products from Ukraine, and also wants to increase exports of root vegetables to the Ukrainian market, according to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food following a meeting between its head, Vitaliy Koval, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to Ukraine, Ernal Fil.
The minister noted that in 2025, Ukraine shifted its state policy towards livestock farming and began to increase the production of cattle, red meat, and processed products, which attracted the interest of Albania, where demand for meat products has grown due to an increase in tourism.
“Albania is interested in importing meat (beef and lamb) and processed products from Ukraine. At the same time, they want to increase the supply of root vegetables to the Ukrainian market, especially in February-May, when we have less of our own. To do this, certain trade procedures between the countries need to be simplified,” Koval said.
The parties agreed at the ministerial level to discuss steps to strengthen cooperation in the agricultural sector at the embassies.
The head of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy emphasized that, in addition to cooperation in the agricultural sector, Ukraine and Albania have many points of contact. In particular, the agricultural sector accounts for a significant share of GDP in both countries and provides employment for a large number of people.
To intensify cooperation, Koval proposed holding the inaugural meeting of the Ukrainian-Albanian Joint Commission this year.
US President Donald Trump has announced that tariffs on steel imports to the US will be increased by 50%, which is twice the current rate, CNN reports.
“We are going to increase tariffs on steel in the United States by 25%, from 25% to 50%,” he said during a speech at a US Steel plant near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Trump added that he was considering a 40% tariff, but industry leaders told him they wanted a 50% tariff.
“At 25%, they can somehow get around this fence. At 50%, nobody will get around this fence,” the US president added.
He later wrote that tariffs on steel and aluminum would be increased to 50% starting Wednesday, June 4.
“I am honored to raise tariffs on steel and aluminum from 25% to 50% starting Wednesday, June 4. Our steel and aluminum industries are reborn like never before. This will be another big boost of great news for our great steel and aluminum workers. Let’s make America great again!” he wrote.
Earlier, the Experts Club analytical center released a global analysis of steel production by the world’s leading countries. For more details, follow the link: https://youtube.com/shorts/VgUU9MEMosE?si=EZIE-o9jE0w2O9Z_
In January-April 2025, nickel imports to Ukraine decreased by 40.9% to $5.01 million. Exports amounted to $374,000, compared to $217,000 in the same period of 2024. In April, imports amounted to $1.11 million, while exports amounted to $13,000.
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.
Imports, nickel
Ukraine has extended anti-dumping duties on imports of cement from Moldova, Russia, and Belarus, as well as coated rolled metal products from China and Russia, for five years. According to a statement released by the
Ministry of Economy on Thursday, the decision was made by the Interdepartmental Commission on International Trade (ICIT) on May 21, 2025, following appeals from Ukrainian companies.
“If you are a manufacturer and face aggressive non-market competition, please contact the Ministry of Economy to initiate anti-dumping investigations. Ukraine adheres to the principles of openness but is ready to protect its market in accordance with WTO rules,” the release quotes First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko as saying.
As reported, in 2019, the ICIT imposed anti-dumping duties on imports of cement clinker and Portland cement to Ukraine under codes 2523 10 and 2523 29, at the following rates: 57.03% on cement from Belarus; 94.46% on cement from Moldova; 114.95% on cement from Russia. The duties were imposed for a period of five years. In May last year, at the request of Dickerhoff Cement Ukraine, Ivano-Frankivskcement, supported by
Kryvyi Rih Cement, the ICIT initiated a review of these duties, which extended their validity for up to one year.
As it became known at the conference “Trade Wars: The Art of Defense,” organized by Ilyashev & Partners in Kyiv this week, Lafarge Ciment (Moldova) SA offered voluntary price restrictions in order to return to the
Ukrainian market. Market participants called for the proposed prices to be made public.
As for imports into Ukraine of certain types of rolled steel with anti-corrosion coating originating from Russia and China, anti-dumping measures were introduced in 2019 for five years for manufacturers/exporters of goods from Russia at a rate of 47.57% and from China at a rate of 22.78%. In May last year, at the request of PJSC Mariupol Metallurgical Plant named after Ilyich and LLC Unistil, the MCMT launched a new investigation as part of a review of these duties.
BELARUS, CEMENT, CHINA, IMPORT, MOLDOVA, rolled metal, RUSSIA
