In 2025, Ukraine imported $89.54 million worth of vegetables used in borscht, including carrots, beets, cabbage, and onions, and $164.36 million worth of potatoes.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS), Ukraine increased its imports of onions by 2.4 times in 2025, to 43,180 tons. The purchase cost $22.66 million, which is 2.6 times more than the $8.61 million spent in 2024. The top three suppliers of onions to Ukraine were China and Egypt, which accounted for 21.2% and 17.44% of imports, amounting to $4.80 million and $3.95 million, respectively. The Netherlands rounded out the top three with a 16.33% share ($3.70 million).
During this period, Ukraine imported 68.9% more cabbage than last year — 45.66 thousand tons versus 27.03 thousand tons, respectively. The cost of purchasing it increased by 62.3% and amounted to $34.31 million (compared to $21.14 million in 2024). The main suppliers were Poland (27.45% of supplies worth $9.42 million), Macedonia (22.96% worth $7.88 million), and the Netherlands (14.48% worth $4.97 million).
Ukraine increased its imports of carrots, beets, and celery by 4.9 times in 2025, to 48,010 tons (compared to 9,850 tons in 2024). USD 32.57 million was spent on these needs, which is 5.1 times more than in 2024 (USD 6.37 million). Last year, the main suppliers of these root vegetables to Ukraine were Poland, Moldova, and the Netherlands, which accounted for 46.31%, 12.9%, and 11.54% of the imported volume, respectively. In monetary terms, they earned $15.08 million, $4.20 million, and $3.76 million from these supplies, respectively.
As reported, Ukraine imported 138.41 thousand tons of potatoes in 2025, which is 5.3 times more than in 2024. In monetary terms, potato imports increased 4.9 times, to $74.82 million, compared to $15.21 million a year ago.
In total, Ukraine imported 275.26 thousand tons of vegetables for borscht in 2025.
Imports of vegetables for borscht to Ukraine (2025 vs. 2024)
Data: State Customs Service
Ukraine increased cucumber imports by 46.3% in 2025 compared to 2024, reaching 70,820 tons, according to the State Customs Service.
In monetary terms, cucumber imports grew by 38.8% to $89.14 million.
The largest suppliers of cucumbers to Ukraine in 2025 were Turkey (83.5% in monetary terms), Romania (7.6%), and Poland (4.6%). A year earlier, the top three were Turkey (73.6%), Poland (11.8%), and Romania (4.9%).
As reported, in July 2025, Ukraine introduced anti-dumping duties on imports of fresh cucumbers from Turkey at a rate of 20.1% for a period of five years.
In January-December 2025, Ukraine imported 138,410 tons of potatoes, which is 5.3 times (+431.3%) more than in 2024, when 26,050 tons were imported into the country, according to the State Customs Service.
According to published statistics, in monetary terms, potato imports increased 4.9 times (+391.9%) to $74.82 million compared to $15.21 million a year earlier. The main imports came from Poland (38.2%), Egypt (14.1%), and the Netherlands (10.8%).
Potato exports from Ukraine during the same period amounted to 2.38 thousand tons, which is 11.2% less than in 2024 (2.68 thousand tons). At the same time, despite the physical reduction in export volumes, in monetary terms, the sale of Ukrainian potatoes abroad was more profitable and brought in 3.1% ($584 thousand) more revenue than in 2024 ($566 thousand). The main buyers were Moldova (60.2% of all exports), Azerbaijan (35.4%), and Georgia (1.2%).
As reported, Ukraine had a poor potato harvest in the 2024 season due to drought, extremely high temperatures, and a lack of seed material.
Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture Taras Vysotsky noted in a podcast by the Center for Economic Strategies that the 2025 vegetable harvest in Ukraine is sufficient and even larger than last year, so no shortage is expected in this sector.
Commenting on Ukraine’s potato imports in 2024-2025, Mykola Furdyga, director of the Potato Institute, explained that this record volume of imports was caused by the unusual weather conditions in 2024. Therefore, the state was forced to import potatoes to meet domestic food needs. European countries were eager to supply Ukraine with their products due to their attractive prices. At the same time, potatoes from Egypt did not dominate the market but occupied their traditional niche in the off-season (February-March – IF-U). In addition, Ukraine traditionally imports seed potatoes from leading breeding companies in the European Union.
Furdyga noted that since the beginning of the war, there has been a trend in Ukraine toward reducing potato cultivation in households and expanding production areas for this crop in farms and even in agricultural holdings. He explained this trend by the departure of the population from villages abroad and mobilization.
Ukraine increased tomato imports by 32.5% in 2025 compared to 2024, to 104,820 tons, according to the State Customs Service.
According to statistics, in monetary terms, tomato imports increased by 31.6% to $140.84 million.
The main imports of tomatoes in 2025 came from Turkey (82.3% of all supplies in monetary terms), Poland (7.3%), and the Netherlands (1.9%). A year earlier, Turkey accounted for 77.3%, Poland for 10.9%, and the Netherlands for 4.3%.
As reported, in July 2025, Ukraine introduced anti-dumping duties on imports of fresh tomatoes from Turkey at a rate of 26.9% for a period of five years.
US President Donald Trump announced his intention to raise tariffs on a number of goods from South Korea from 15% to 25%, linking this decision to the fact that, according to him, the country’s parliament had failed to fulfill its obligations under a previously agreed trade agreement. According to Reuters, Trump wrote on social media that the increased rates would apply to South Korean cars, lumber, pharmaceuticals, and other goods subject to “reciprocal tariffs.” However, the report did not specify when the increase would take effect.
The South Korean authorities were taken by surprise by the announcement and declared their commitment to implementing the agreements; emergency consultations were held in Seoul, and relevant officials are preparing to contact the American side.
Against the backdrop of the news, South Korea’s KOSPI index fell during trading, then reversed and closed higher, while the won weakened. Hyundai Motor and Kia shares ended the session lower after a more noticeable decline during the day.
We remind you that under the agreement reached in 2025, the tariff on imports of Korean cars and auto components to the US was previously reduced to 15% from 25% and came into effect on November 1
IMPORTS, SOUTH KOREA, TARIFFS, TRUMP, US
Uzbekistan has eliminated customs duties on imports of 82 types of raw materials and semi-finished products until January 1, 2027.
Zero rates for these types of products were first introduced in October 2021 and were valid until January 1, 2024.
The list includes, in particular: castor oil, asbestos, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), dyes, artificial fur, artificial wax, ready-made adhesives, photo emulsion for textile printing, paper and cardboard, cotton fabrics, linen fabrics, fabrics made of artificial and synthetic fibers, glass fiber, glass fiber fabrics, loudspeakers, and others.
Measures to reduce customs duties were applied in order to support domestic manufacturing enterprises and increase exports of value-added products.
As a reminder, Uzbekistan previously extended zero customs duties for a number of food products and children’s clothing until January 1, 2027.
In addition, until January 1, 2031, special equipment, spare parts and components, raw materials and materials that are not produced in the country and are used in the technological processes of enterprises for the disposal of household, construction and medical waste, as well as the production of biodegradable polymer materials, are also exempt from customs duties.
