In August 2026, Ukraine’s major pulp and paper companies produced 54,300 metric tons of paper and cardboard, which is 2.3% less than in August of last year and 1.8% lower than the July figure, according to the UkrPapier Association.
At the same time, the value of commercial products produced by these companies continued to rise. In August, it reached 2.75 billion UAH, which is 17.5% higher than the figure for August 2025. Compared to July of this year, however, the figure fell by nearly 10%.
Thus, the growth in industry revenue occurred against the backdrop of a decline in physical production volumes, which may reflect a change in the structure of output and higher prices for finished products.
Paper production in August slightly exceeded last year’s figure, totaling 12,280 metric tons. The bulk of this was base paper for sanitary and hygiene products—11,080 metric tons—which was 1.8% less than a year earlier.
Cardboard output fell by 3.1% to 42,000 metric tons. Of this total, 33,100 metric tons consisted of packaging cardboard and paper for corrugation, the production of which declined by 7.8%.
Among the largest enterprises providing data 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 2025, paper and cardboard production in Ukraine increased by 4.8% to 630,000 metric tons.
Source: “UkrPapier” Association.
Canada ranked first in terms of the balance of positive and negative attitudes among Ukrainians among Ukraine’s 50 largest trading partners, while China, which leads in trade turnover, received the lowest indicator, and attitudes toward Poland deteriorated significantly, according to the results of a study by Active Group and the Experts Club information and analytical center.
According to the published ranking, the balance of positive and negative assessments of Canada amounted to plus 73.8 percentage points. It was followed by Sweden – plus 70.6 p.p., the Netherlands – 69.7 p.p., Finland and Norway – 69.3 p.p. each, France – 69.1 p.p., Italy – 67.1 p.p., Lithuania – 65.9 p.p., Switzerland and the United Kingdom – 65.6 p.p. each.
This indicator is the difference between the shares of positive and negative responses. In particular, 76.3% of respondents have a positive attitude toward Canada, 2.5% have a negative attitude, and 19.2% have a neutral attitude.
The worst balance was recorded for China – minus 25.4 p.p.: 18.2% of respondents assess it positively, 43.6% negatively, and 33.9% neutrally. India also has a negative indicator – minus 14.3 p.p., Hungary – minus 12.7 p.p., and Lebanon – minus 9.2 p.p.
Doctor of Sociological Sciences and head of the Kyiv branch of the Sociological Association of Ukraine Olga Bezrukova called China an illustrative example of the gap between the scale of economic interaction and the country’s public image.
“We saw that China is Ukraine’s largest economic partner in terms of total trade turnover, but this is in no way converted into a positive public image. This shows that Ukrainian citizens clearly distinguish between the pragmatism of economic interaction and the overall assessment of a state. Economic dependence and interaction do not equal public sympathy for this country,” she emphasized at a press conference at the Interfax-Ukraine agency on Tuesday.
One of the most noticeable changes was the deterioration in attitudes toward Poland. While in March 2026 the balance of assessments stood at plus 41.7 p.p., in August positive and negative responses were practically equal, with a slight predominance of negative ones. A positive attitude was expressed by 34.6% of respondents, a negative one by 37%, and a neutral one by 25.4%.
“At the beginning of the invasion, Poland was perceived almost as the main partner. We asked about the rapprochement between Ukraine and Poland, political and economic, even about uniting into some kind of common union, and we saw enormous positive results. But here we see: Poland seemingly still remains a key partner, but the idea of unification has already been forgotten, and we see stable negativity,” said Active Group founder Andriy Yeremenko.
He linked the deterioration in assessments to the position of part of the Polish authorities, which he considers anti-Ukrainian.
At the same time, the balance of attitudes toward Hungary improved from minus 33.6 p.p. in March to minus 12.7 p.p. in August, although negative assessments still prevail. For the United States, the indicator rose from plus 19.4 to plus 38.4 p.p. Some 55% of respondents have a positive attitude toward the United States, 16.6% a negative attitude, and 25.6% a neutral attitude.
When asked who contributes most to achieving peace in Ukraine, 44.6% of respondents named European Union countries, 25.2% the United States, 23.3% the United Kingdom, 4.1% China, 1.8% India, and 1% Brazil. Regarding priority development of trade and economic relations, 69.9% chose EU countries and the United Kingdom, 11.9% the United States, and 8.4% China.
According to Bezrukova, assessments of the U.S. role in achieving peace remained relatively stable throughout the three waves of the study.
“General sympathy toward a country and an assessment of its functionality at the international level are related but not identical things. Images of countries are multidimensional. A person may change their emotional attitude toward a state but continue to recognize its international weight,” the sociologist explained.
Another model, she said, is demonstrated by India: 48.3% of respondents express a neutral attitude toward it, but among formed assessments negative ones prevail – 31.5% versus 17.2% positive.
The economic indicators were presented by Experts Club founder, deputy director of the Interfax-Ukraine agency and PhD in Economics Maksym Urakin. According to State Customs Service data cited by him, in the first half of 2026 Ukraine’s trade turnover amounted to $70.3 billion, exports to $21 billion, and imports to $49.3 billion. The negative balance of trade in goods reached $28.3 billion.
“If we compare this with the first half of 2025, there was also an imbalance then, but now exports have increased by approximately 5%, while imports have risen by almost 30%. That is, the deficit increased by more than $10 billion over the year. Therefore, it is very important for us to analyze our main partners,” he emphasized.
According to the materials presented, trade turnover with China in January-June amounted to about $14.68 billion. Ukraine exported $778 million worth of goods to China and imported $13.90 billion, forming a deficit of approximately $13.12 billion. Poland remained the largest buyer of Ukrainian goods, with a volume of $2.38 billion. Türkiye ranked second among export markets with $1.78 billion, and Italy third with $1.28 billion.
In terms of total trade volume, China is followed by Poland – $7.05 billion, Türkiye – $4.90 billion, Germany – $4.48 billion, and the United States – $3.07 billion. Yeremenko highlighted Türkiye as an example of a combination of significant trade turnover and predominantly positive perception: 52.3% of respondents have a favorable attitude toward it, while 7.4% have a negative attitude.
Urakin separately drew attention to partners with which trade provides Ukraine with a positive balance. In the first half of the year, the largest was with Spain – $578.1 million, Egypt – $527.1 million, and Moldova – $467.2 million. They were followed by Algeria – $309.2 million, the Netherlands – $221.5 million, and Lebanon – $220.5 million. Libya, Tunisia, Iraq, and Yemen also entered the top ten.
At the same time, neutral attitudes prevail toward a number of these partners. Egypt is assessed neutrally by 61.3% of respondents, Algeria by 65.8%, and Tunisia by 67.3%. Participants in the press conference linked this to insufficient awareness among Ukrainians about these countries and emphasized the need for more active economic and public diplomacy.
“It is necessary to develop not only general awareness better. First of all, business associations, the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs need to work to develop bilateral relations and improve the balance. In conditions where Ukraine already lacks financing and we live, essentially, at the expense of external borrowing, cooperation should be expanded with countries where we can have a positive balance,” said Active Group director Oleksandr Pozniy.
Urakin recommended that embassies accredited in Ukraine ensure full communication in the Ukrainian language, openness to the media, and regular reporting on the results of cooperation.
“The first recommendation is to regularly show concrete deeds, concrete actions, the presence here of foundations, embassies, teams, diplomats in the humanitarian sphere and in science. Second, to be open to questions and requests from the media and the public. We also need to use our sociology to draw conclusions and cement our relations, primarily trade relations,” he added.
This is the third wave of the study; the previous ones were conducted in August 2025 and March 2026. The survey was conducted in August 2026 using self-completed online questionnaires in the SunFlowerSociology panel. A total of 800 Ukrainian citizens aged 18 and over were surveyed. According to the organizers, the sample is representative by age, gender and region, and the stated maximum theoretical statistical margin of error at a 95% confidence level is 3.5%.
ACTIVE GROUP, CANADA, CHINA, EXPERTS CLUB, POLAND, PUBLIC OPINION, TRADE, UKRAINE, UNITED STATES
Production of corrugated cardboard boxes by Ukraine’s leading companies in the industry in August 2026 decreased by 11% compared to August of last year—to 46 million square meters, according to data from the “UkrPapier” association.
Compared to July of this year, corrugated packaging output decreased by approximately 8%.
The decline in finished packaging output was accompanied by a reduction in the production of raw materials for it. In August, companies produced 33,100 metric tons of packaging board, including paper for corrugation, which is 7.8% less than last year’s figure.
Total cardboard production amounted to 42 thousand metric tons, down 3.1% year-over-year.
August’s performance contrasts with last year’s results. By the end of 2025, Ukrainian companies had increased production of corrugated cardboard boxes by 2.1%—to 599.6 million square meters.
Corrugated packaging is widely used in the food industry, e-commerce, logistics, consumer goods manufacturing, and export shipments; therefore, its production volume serves as an indicator of activity across several economic sectors.
According to previously published data from the association, in the first seven months of 2026, corrugated packaging production also lagged behind last year’s level by approximately 2.7%. August significantly exacerbated this downward trend.
Under martial law, the “UkrPapier” Association does not publish individual production figures for each company.
Source: “UkrBumaga”.
CARDBOARD, CORRUGATED PACKAGING, PACKAGING, PRODUCTION, UKRAINE
Mexico and Ukraine have significant potential for further expanding bilateral relations in the political, economic, scientific, and academic spheres, said Audencio Contreras González, Mexico’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ukraine.
“I am convinced that Mexico and Ukraine have significant potential for further strengthening bilateral relations. Our countries deserve broader, deeper, and more dynamic relations—ranging from open political dialogue based on mutual respect to mutually beneficial scientific, academic, and economic cooperation,” the ambassador said at a diplomatic reception in Kyiv marking the 216th anniversary of the start of Mexico’s struggle for independence.
The event was attended by Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mariana Betsa, as well as representatives of government agencies, the diplomatic corps, academic and business circles, civil society, and the Mexican community.
Contreras González noted that celebrating Mexico’s national holiday in Ukraine holds special significance.
“We celebrate it together with a people whom we sincerely admire and who, under extremely difficult circumstances, deeply value their identity, their sovereignty, and their right to independently determine their own future as an independent state living in peace, just as the Mexican people do,” the diplomat emphasized.
According to him, Mexico’s foreign policy is based on the constitutional principles of non-interference, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and the rejection of the use of force in international relations.
“It is precisely these principles that define our clear position on condemning the invasion of Ukraine, upholding international law, and promoting dialogue to achieve a just and lasting peace,” the ambassador stated.
He also emphasized the importance of cultural diplomacy and closer ties between the societies of the two countries, despite the significant geographical distance.
“Strengthening bilateral relations begins with our societies—which are geographically distant but share common values and traits, as well as a centuries-old history of statehood—getting to know one another better,” noted Contreras González.
During the reception, guests were introduced to elements of Mexican culture and national traditions, including music, cuisine, and the traditional decorative art of papel picado.
The ambassador expressed hope for the swiftest possible establishment of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and the further strengthening of Ukrainian-Mexican cooperation.
Mexico recognized Ukraine’s independence on December 25, 1991, and diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on January 14, 1992.
The Embassy of Ukraine in Mexico City was opened in January 1999. Mexico initially maintained diplomatic relations with Ukraine through its embassies in Russia and later in Poland; in 2000, an honorary consulate began operating in Kyiv. The Permanent Embassy of Mexico in Ukraine began operations on May 1, 2005, and its official inauguration took place on June 20, 2005, during a state visit by Mexican President Vicente Fox.
Audencio Contreras González heads the Mexican Embassy in Ukraine and presented his credentials to the President of Ukraine on August 16, 2024.
Rental rates for warehouse space in Ukraine have increased by 12–13% over the past few months, UTG Director Yevgeniya Loktionova told the “Interfax-Ukraine” news agency.
“Due to the destruction and rapid reduction in vacant space, the market has turned into a ‘landlord’s market.’ In recent months alone, as the shortage has worsened, rates for high-quality space have risen by an average of 12–13%,” she noted.
According to UTG, in the Kyiv region, the prime effective rental rate for Class A space remains in the range of $5–$5.5 per square meter per month (excluding VAT and OPEX), while in some deals for the most sought-after or well-protected properties, it reaches $6 per square meter. In western regions (particularly Lviv Oblast), rates range from $6 to $7 per square meter.
As previously reported, according to a WINHUB study, as of early September, Ukraine’s warehouse infrastructure had shrunk by 50%—from 4.2 million square meters at the start of 2022, with the enemy having destroyed 2.1 million square meters (Classes A/B). New construction between 2022 and 2026 (800,000 square meters) only partially offset these losses. The situation is even more acute in the capital region, where more warehouses were lost in the first eight months of 2026 than during the entire period from 2022 to 2025. In total, 68% of the inventory (1.5 million square meters) was lost.
UTG was founded in 2001. The company has developed over 1,300 real estate concepts. Over the years, 4.7 million square meters of commercial space in Ukraine have been leased with the company’s involvement.
According to Experts.news, Ukraine increased its imports of transformers, inductors, and chokes by 49% in January–August 2026 compared to the same period last year—to $1.02 billion—with China accounting for nearly 88% of all shipments of these products, according to data from the State Customs Service.
Over the eight-month period, Ukraine imported $890 million worth of transformers, inductors, and chokes from China, accounting for 87.7% of total imports in this product category.
A year earlier, imports from China totaled $563.4 million, or 82.7% of Ukraine’s imports. Thus, over the course of the year, China not only significantly increased the volume of its exports but also raised its share of the Ukrainian market by approximately 5 percentage points.
Turkey and Germany remained other major suppliers. Turkey accounted for about 3% of imports, while a year earlier its share was 2.5%. Germany’s share, conversely, fell from 5.8% to 1.4%.
The growth rate of transformer equipment imports has been gradually slowing throughout 2026. In the first quarter, imports increased by 81% year-over-year; in the first half of the year, by 63%; and from January through August, growth stood at 49%.
In August 2026, Ukraine imported transformers, inductors, and chokes worth $115.7 million, which is 7.7% more than in August of last year.
The high volume of purchases of transformer equipment persists amid the need to restore and modernize Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
In March 2026, the Cabinet of Ministers removed transformers from the list of goods that could be imported on preferential terms under agreements with the EU Secretariat. In May, the European Business Association appealed to First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal with a proposal to temporarily exempt certain types of power transformers from import duties and VAT.
At the same time, Ukraine continues to export its own transformers and related electrical equipment. From January through August 2026, the value of these exports totaled nearly $24.8 million, compared to $19.9 million a year earlier. The main export markets were Germany, Poland, and Hungary.
By comparison: for the full year of 2025, Ukraine imported transformers, inductors, and chokes worth $1.12 billion, which was 88% higher than the 2024 figure. Imports from China rose 2.3-fold during that period—to $957.3 million.
Thus, in just the first eight months of 2026, the volume of Ukraine’s imports of these products approached the figure for the entire previous year, and China further solidified its status as a key supplier of transformer equipment to the Ukrainian market.
