Ministry of Economy: Ukrainian exports to EU countries exceed pre-war level

In August, Ukrainian exports to the countries of the European Union almost reached the pre-war level

This was announced by Deputy Minister of Economy – Trade Representative of Ukraine Taras Kachka on the air of the national telethon.

In addition, he added that according to the results of the 1st-3rd quarter, it would even exceed the corresponding pre-war indicators.

"Today, trade between Ukraine and the European Union has actually resumed. In August, exports to the EU made up 90% of exports recorded in August 2021.

And in the three quarters of 2022, despite the war, we exported to the EU even several percent more than in the I-III quarters of 2021," Kachka said.

"The trading activity of Ukrainian exporters was facilitated by a number of steps taken by the EU countries and the government of Ukraine. In particular, the abolition of quotas and customs duties by the European Union simplified the export of agricultural products.

The "lines of solidarity" initiated by the European Commission for Ukraine and the strengthening of the capacity of the customs infrastructure greatly contributed to the revival of trade," the government representative recalled.

From October 1, a "customs visa-free regime" will come into effect, i.e., the Convention on the common transit procedure and the Convention on the simplification of formalities in trade in goods will enter into force for Ukraine. This will allow goods to cross the borders between Ukraine and EU countries even faster.

At the same time, according to Kachka, in general, the level of Ukrainian exports, compared to the pre-war level, has decreased by almost half.

"If in January-February, Ukraine exported monthly at the level of 6 billion dollars or more, now we are reaching the level of 3.4 billion dollars – approximately this will be the result in September," said the deputy minister.

Exports to the countries of North Africa and Asia decreased the most. And now, it is being restored only in the context of the grain initiative and ports opening. Also, according to him, trade with russia and Belarus has been completely stopped.