The introduction of duties on import of diesel fuel and liquefied gas of Russian production will cause price increases, weaken competition in the market and will not solve the problems of Ukrainian oil refineries, according to A-95 Consulting Group.
According to a press release, the group came to such conclusions following a study of complaints by Ukrainian fuel producers represented by PJSC Ukrtatnafta, PJSC Ukrnafta and JSC Ukrgazvydobuvannia to the Interdepartmental Commission on International Trade, in which they asked for an anti-subsidiary investigation and introduce duties on Russian diesel fuel and liquefied natural gas in the amount of 8.46% with an increase to 25.4% over five years.
“The main argument of manufacturers is dumping by Russian exporters, which is not true. Imported petroleum products, including Russian ones, are sold to Ukraine with premiums to the world quotes. So, for 2020 Ukrainian companies signed contracts for Russian diesel fuel with a premium to European quotes of up to $35/tonne, for liquefied gas of up to $22/tonne. This is due to the fact that Ukraine remains import dependent: in 2019, imports of diesel fuel accounted for 88% in the national balance, liquefied gas for 78.5%,” A-95 said.
According to the group, the most critical consequences of duties will be felt by the diesel market, which accounts for 70% in the basket of motor fuels. If the proposed duty is introduced at 8.46%, imports from Russia may cease completely, which will increase pressure on the remaining sources of supply, primarily Belarus, whose share will grow from the current 35% to 60% of the market. At the same time, the capabilities of Ukrainian producers are limited by a twofold increase in processing, which in the best case will allow raising the market weight from 12% to 25%.
Ukraine in January 2020 exported 330 tonnes of cheese, which is 27.4% less than in January 2019. According to the State Customs Service, in monetary terms exports amounted to $1.2 million, which is 19.9% less than in January 2019.
At the same time, cheese imports in January 2020 increased 2.4 times, to 2,770 tonnes. In monetary terms, imports increased 2.2 times compared to January 2019, to $12.35 million.
In January 2020, export of butter from Ukraine decreased by 58.3%, to 743 tonnes, in money terms by 50%, to $3.49 million. According to the State Customs Service, import of this product increased 11.3 times, to 1,020 tonnes ($4.52 million).
In addition, export of milk and cream (condensed) in January 2020 fell by 24.4%, to 1,630 tonnes. In January 2020, Ukraine supplied condensed milk and cream for a total of $3.69 million (the same as in January 2019). Imports of this group of goods grew by 37.1%, to 229 tonnes ($507,000).
Ukraine in 2019 reduced import of coal and anthracite (foreign trade activity code 2701) by 1.4% (by 305,334 tonnes) compared to 2018, to 21.082 million tonnes.
According to the State Fiscal Service, coal was imported for $2.816 billion, which is 7.2% less than in 2018 ($3.035 billion).
At the same time, coal for $1.638 billion (a share in imports is 58.18%) was supplied from Russia, while the United States delivered coal for $888.485 million (31.55%), Kazakhstan for $134.228 million (4.77%), and other countries for $154.912 (5.5%).
In addition, in 2019 Ukraine exported 14,938 tonnes of coal and anthracite for $724,000, including to Moldova for $585,000, Hungary for $103,000, Poland for $32,000, and other countries for $4,000.
Ukraine in January-December 2019 exported 7,190 tonnes of cheese, which is 13.8% less than in 2018.
According to the State Customs Service, in monetary terms exports amounted to $26.88 million, which is 12.7% less than in 2018.
At the same time, cheese imports in 2019 increased by 1.7 times, to 23,720 tonnes. In monetary terms, imports increased by 1.6 times compared to 2018, to $108.87 million.
Last year, export of butter from Ukraine decreased by 1.7 times, to 18,280 tonnes, in money terms also by 1.7 times, to $77.1 million. According to the State Customs Service, import of this product increased by 3.1 times, to 3,410 tonnes, in money terms by 2.2 times, to $16.46 million.
In addition, export of milk and cream (condensed) in 2019 rose by 0.9%, to 35,810 tonnes. In January-December 2019, Ukraine supplied condensed milk and cream for a total of $76.22 million (29.1% more compared to 2018). Imports of this group of goods grew by 8.8%, to 2,560 tonnes, in monetary terms by 1.2%, to $5.78 million.
Main trade partners of Ukraine in % from total volume (import from other countries to Ukraine) in Jan-Oct 2019
The total volume of imported electricity in November 2019 first since the launch of the new electricity market exceeded the total volume of exported electricity – by 5%, the press service of national energy company Ukrenergo has reported. At the same time, the total import volume amounted to 661,000 MWh, the total export volume reached 629,000 MWh, the company said. According to Ukrenergo, 370,600 MWh were imported into the Burshtyn TPP, and 290,400 MWh to the Integrated Power System (IPS) of Ukraine.
At the same time, Ukrenergo said that in order to ensure balance and operational security of the power grid, the company limited the planned import of electricity. As a result, in November, imports from Belarus were limited by 46% (from 294,700 MWh to 157,800 MWh), by 34% from Russia (from 201,500 0 MWh to 132,600 MWh), and by 1% from countries importing into the Burshtyn TPP (from 374,900 MWh to 370,600 MWh).
According to the company, in November 2019, imports increased by 10% compared with October (from 601,000 MWh to 661,000 MWh), compared to July – by 140% (from 274,600 MWh up to 661,000 MWh).
According to Ukenergo, the largest increase in electricity imports was recorded from Hungary – almost doubled. At the same time, imports from Slovakia increased by 8% and from Russia by 4%.
Electricity export from the Burshtyn TPP amounted to 483,700 MWh, while supplies to Romania almost tripled.
Exports from the IPS of Ukraine amounted to 145,200 MWh.
According to Ukrenergo, the IPS of Ukraine exported electricity to Poland and Moldova.
