According to Experts.news, in 2024 Ukraine ranked 35th in the world in terms of the number of patent applications filed, with 2,559 applications, while China remains the undisputed global leader with 1.828 million applications, according to an analysis of global patent activity prepared by Volodymyr Khaustov, scientific secretary of the State Institution “Institute of Economics and Forecasting of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine,” and published by the Experts Club Information and Analytical Center.
Ranking of Countries by Number of Patent Applications in 2024
Source: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), World Intellectual Property Indicators, Table A60 “Patent applications by office and origin, 2024”; calculations and systematization are presented in a study by Volodymyr Khaustov and the Experts Club analytical center.
Paper and cardboard production by major enterprises in Ukraine’s pulp and paper industry in January–July 2026 fell by 2.9–3% compared to the same period in 2025, despite improved performance in July.
This is according to data from the UkrPapir association.
Paper production alone fell by 8.2% over the seven-month period, while cardboard production fell by 1.2%.
Production of corrugated cardboard boxes fell by 1.6%, while wallpaper production decreased by 6.3%.
At the same time, production of toilet paper rolls increased by 7% compared to January–July of last year.
Production of certain types of sanitary and hygiene products grew even faster. Production of 100% cellulose toilet paper rose by approximately 20.4% over the seven-month period, while production of paper towels in rolls increased by 9.5%.
Notebook production also showed positive growth. Over the seven-month period, it increased by 11%.
Meanwhile, the industry’s largest segment—cardboard and packaging materials—already shifted to significant growth in July. Cardboard output for the month increased by 11.2% year-over-year, including a 16% increase in containerboard.
The total monetary value of commercial output by companies in the industry for January–July increased by 19.3% compared to the same period in 2025.
Thus, while physical production volumes of paper and cardboard for the first seven months remain below last year’s levels, the industry’s revenue is growing significantly faster. At the same time, July statistics point to a recovery in the production of cardboard and certain categories of consumer paper products.
Among the largest enterprises providing statistics to the association are the Kyiv Cardboard and Paper Mill, the Trypillya Packaging Plant, the Kokhavyn Paper Mill, “VGP” (TM “Ruta”), “Poninkivska KPF-Ukraine,” and the Lviv-based “Cardboard and Paper Company.”
In January–July 2026, Ukraine imported 28,300 metric tons of cheese, which is 24.7% more than during the same period last year, while exports of Ukrainian cheese rose by only 1.2%—to 8,200 metric tons.
This is according to data from the State Customs Service, cited by the Association of Milk Producers (AMP) in a publication dated August 26.
Thus, according to calculations based on AMM data, the physical volume of cheese imports was approximately 3.5 times greater than exports, and the difference between imports and exports reached about 20,100 metric tons.
The gap in monetary terms is even more pronounced. The value of cheese imports over the seven-month period totaled $168.8 million, an increase of 17.9%, while exports brought Ukraine $37.4 million, which is only 0.5% more than last year’s figure.
Thus, imports exceeded exports in monetary terms by approximately 4.5 times, and the trade deficit in cheese amounted to about $131.4 million.
The data provided by the APM also shows that the average estimated cost of imported cheese was about $6,000 per metric ton, while that of exported cheese was about $4,600 per metric ton.
At the same time, imports in physical terms are growing significantly faster than their value: the volume increased by 24.7%, while procurement costs rose by 17.9%. This indicates a decrease in the average calculated import value per metric ton by approximately 5% compared to January–July of last year.
For comparison: Ukraine’s total merchandise imports in January–July 2026 amounted to $58.1 billion, while exports totaled $24.1 billion, according to the State Customs Service.
Poland, Germany, and the Netherlands remain the main suppliers of cheese to the Ukrainian market, while Ukrainian products are mainly exported to Moldova, Kazakhstan, and Germany.
Original source: Association of Milk Producers, citing data from the State Customs Service.
In July 2026, Ukrainian pulp and paper companies increased paper and cardboard production by 5.2% compared to July of last year, reaching 55,300 metric tons, according to data from the UkrPapir association.
Compared to June of this year, production rose by 5.3%.
The main driver was cardboard production, which increased by 11.2% year-over-year to 43,560 metric tons. In particular, the output of packaging cardboard, including paper for corrugating, rose by 16% to 36,360 metric tons.
At the same time, paper production in July fell by 12.5% compared to July 2025, to 11,740 metric tons.
The bulk of this was base paper for sanitary and hygiene products—10,620 metric tons, which is 9.2% less than a year earlier. Production of writing and printing paper nearly halved, falling to 64 metric tons.
Production of corrugated cardboard boxes totaled 50.06 million square meters, which is 2.5% less than in July of last year.
Despite mixed trends in individual product categories, the industry continued to grow in monetary terms. The value of commercial output from enterprises that submitted data to the association reached 3.056 billion UAH in July, an increase of 28.8% year-over-year and 3.3% compared to June.
The “UkrPapir” statistics include, in particular, the Kyiv Cardboard and Paper Mill, the Trypillya Packaging Plant, the Kokhavyn Paper Mill, “VGP” (TM “Ruta”), “Poninkivska KPF-Ukraine,” and the Lviv-based “Cardboard and Paper Company.” The association does not publish figures for individual enterprises due to wartime risks.
Ukrainian insurance companies specializing in life insurance collected 3.6 billion UAH in insurance premiums in January–July 2026, which is 11.7% higher than the figures for the same period in 2025.
According to the website of the National Association of Insurers of Ukraine (NASU), 570.7 million UAH in insurance premiums were collected in July—the highest figure so far this year—indicating that the public is willing to invest in their own future even amid macroeconomic uncertainty.
Furthermore, according to NASU, the active expansion of client portfolios through new contracts is an important indicator of growth. Specifically, first-year premiums increased by nearly 13% compared to June’s figures.
NASU also notes that over the first seven months of 2026, payouts made by life insurers rose by 39% compared to the same period in 2025. This trend is entirely predictable, as companies are now systematically and consistently returning funds under long-term contracts concluded as far back as 15–20 years ago.
NASU also reports that for the first seven months of 2026, the ranking of life insurers by premiums written is as follows: MetLife Insurance Company – 1.887 billion UAH, TAS Insurance Company – 617.7 million UAH, Grave Life – 373.9 million UAH, “PZU Life” – 241.6 million UAH, “Arks Life” – 213.3 million UAH.
Ranking by payouts: “MetLife” – 427.1 million UAH; TAS Insurance Company – 322.1 million UAH; “Grave Ukraine Life Insurance” – 284.3 million UAH; “Unica Life” – 108.7 million UAH; PZU Life – 53.5 million UAH.
As previously reported, as of August 1, 2026, there were 10 life insurance companies operating in Ukraine.
According to Experts.news, Ukrainian companies significantly increased their production of notebooks, toilet paper, and wallpaper in July 2026, according to data from the UkrPapir Association of Pulp and Paper Industry Enterprises.
Notebook production reached 28.36 million units, which is 34.5% more than in July 2025. Compared to June of this year, output increased by a factor of 4.4.
Production of toilet paper rolls rose by 9.8% year-over-year, reaching 52.48 million rolls.
At the same time, production of 100% cellulose toilet paper reached 23.68 million rolls, an increase of nearly 23% compared to July of last year.
The wallpaper market also continued its recovery. In July, Ukrainian companies produced 1.63 million standard pieces of wallpaper, which is 12.8% more than a year earlier and 7.5% more than in June.
In this segment, the association has statistics from the largest manufacturer—the company “Slavyanski Wallpaper—KFTP.”
Production of paper towels in rolls also increased by 1.6% year-over-year—to 5.14 million rolls. At the same time, production of 100% cellulose table napkins fell by more than half—to 1.5 million packs.
Overall, the volume of commercial output by companies in the industry reached 3.06 billion UAH in July, which is 28.8% more than in July 2025.
Thus, in the pulp and paper industry, the most notable growth in July was seen not only in packaging board but also in certain consumer paper products.
Original source: the “UkrPapir” Association.
