The volume of passenger car imports to Ukraine, including cargo-passenger vans and racing cars (HS code 8703), amounted to $589.9 million in January-February 2026, which is 18% less than the figure for the same period in 2025 (nearly $720 million).
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service of Ukraine, passenger car imports in February fell by 18.1% compared to February 2025—to $315.9 million—but were 15.3% higher than in January 2026.
The top three suppliers of passenger cars to Ukraine in January-February were Japan, the United States, and Germany, while in the previous year these were the same countries, but Germany was the largest exporter, followed by the United States and Japan.
Specifically, during this period, car imports from Japan increased by 45.4% to $114.9 million, and their share in the structure of car imports rose to 19.5% from 11%.
Car imports from the United States to Ukraine totaled $104.4 million (down 14.5%), and from Germany, $91.5 million (down 40%).
Imports of passenger cars from other countries in January–February totaled $279.1 million, compared to $366.6 million in January of last year.
At the same time, in the first two months of the year, Ukraine exported such vehicles worth only $0.6 million, whereas last year, a total of $1.9 million worth were exported to the UAE (90.5%), the Czech Republic, and Moldova.
According to the State Customs Service, passenger cars accounted for nearly 4% of Ukraine’s total goods imports in January-February of this year, compared to 6.37% during the same period last year.
As reported, in 2025, passenger cars worth nearly $6.15 billion were imported into Ukraine, which is 40.2% more than in 2024. The top three exporters were the United States, Germany, and China. Cars worth $10.1 million were exported (2.7 times less).
The significant increase in passenger car imports to Ukraine in the final months of 2025 was driven by news that VAT exemptions on electric vehicle imports would be abolished as of January 1, 2026, whereas imports have declined significantly since the start of this year.
In January-February 2026, Ukraine increased imports of aluminum and aluminum products by 15.8% to $86.371 million (in February – $46.957 million).
Exports of aluminum and aluminum products in January-February of this year increased by 14.2% compared to the same period last year, to $22.793 million (in February – $11.063 million).
In 2025, Ukraine increased imports of aluminum and aluminum products by 15.3% to $514.098 million.
Exports of aluminum and aluminum products in 2025 increased by 22.9% compared to 2024, reaching $152.919 million.
Aluminum is widely used as a structural material. The main advantages of aluminum are its lightness, malleability, corrosion resistance, high thermal conductivity, and the non-toxicity of its compounds. In particular, these properties have made aluminum extremely popular in the production of kitchen utensils, aluminum foil in the food industry, and for packaging. The first three properties have made aluminum the main raw material in the aviation and aerospace industries (recently, it has been replaced by composite materials, primarily carbon fiber). After construction and packaging production—aluminum cans and foil—the largest consumer of metal is the energy sector.
For a more detailed overview of global aluminum production from 1970 to 2024, see the video on the Experts Club YouTube channel.
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 $419.199 million to $415.095 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 $210.235 million, compared to $205.081 million in the previous month.
At the same time, Ukraine increased imports of similar products by 6.6% in January-February 2026, to $243.314 million. In February, products worth $120.588 million were imported.
In addition, in January-February of this year, Ukraine reduced exports of metal products by 25.8% to $107.372 million. In February, exports amounted to $58.786 million.
Imports of metal products during this period increased by 13.5% to $156.610 million. In February, $79.882 million worth of these products were imported.
As reported, in 2025, Ukrainian metal companies increased their revenues from ferrous metal exports by 7.85% compared to the previous year, to $3 billion 339.487 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 669.544 million. In addition, Ukraine reduced exports of metal products by 3% last year, to $916.151 million. Imports of metal products increased by 24.4% over the year, to $1 billion 290.608 million.
In 2024, metal companies increased their revenues from ferrous metal exports by 16.9% compared to 2023, to $3 billion 96.343 million. At the same time, Ukraine increased imports of similar products by 13.1%, to $1 billion 478.814 million.
At the same time, Ukraine reduced imports of lead and lead products by 6.2 times in January-February 2026, to $198,000 (in February – $86,000).
Exports of lead and lead products increased by 23.3% to $1,660 thousand (in February – $607 thousand).
In 2025, the country increased imports of lead and lead products by 3.3 times to $7.801 million.
Exports of lead and lead products decreased by 17.8% to $9.377 million.
Lead is currently mainly used in the production of lead-acid batteries for the automotive industry. In addition, lead is used in the manufacture of bullets and certain alloys.
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.
In January-February 2026, Ukraine reduced imports of zinc and zinc products by 29% to $4.269 million (in February – $2.282 million).
Zinc exports for the two months reached $81,000 (in February – $1,000), while in January-February 2025 they were $178,000.
In 2025, imports of zinc and zinc products fell by 9.6% to $52.982 million.
Zinc exports last year reached $1.234 million, while in 2024 they amounted to $563 thousand.
Pure zinc metal is used to recover precious metals, protect steel from corrosion, and for other purposes.
