In March 2025, Ukraine achieved a significant milestone by exporting goods worth over $3.6 billion, marking a 4.5% increase compared to the same month last year and an impressive 18% rise from February 2025. This data was reported by the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, which also indicated that the total exports for the first quarter of 2025 reached nearly $9.9 billion.
Despite a decline in exports during the first two months of the year, March saw a rebound, driven primarily by a surge in agricultural products, iron ore, and metallurgical goods. Taras Kachka, the trade representative of Ukraine, emphasized that the growth in exports was made possible by increased shipments of key commodities.
In March, the physical volume of exports rose to 9.98 million tons, representing a 15.9% increase from February. Notably, exports of corn skyrocketed by more than 13.4 times, adding $110 million to the total. Similarly, sunflower seed exports surged by 11.5 times, contributing an additional $15.9 million. Other significant increases included meal supplies, which rose by 80.3% ($35.8 million), and sunflower oil, which saw a 39.2% increase ($141.6 million).
Kachka pointed out that despite the overall decrease in the physical weight of Ukrainian exports, their monetary value has been on the rise. In March 2024, Ukraine exported nearly 11.9 million tons valued at $3.46 billion, while in March 2025, the country exported 9.9 million tons worth $3.62 billion. This shift indicates a growing share of higher-value-added products, suggesting that Ukraine's processing industry is successfully overcoming challenges posed by the ongoing war and is making strides in accessing international markets.
In terms of specific products, the most valuable exports in March included:
- Corn: $514.4 million (2.4 million tons)
- Sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil: $503 million (441 thousand tons)
- Wheat: $253.9 million (1.1 million tons)
- Iron ore and concentrates: $238.4 million (2.9 million tons)
- Soybeans: $150.2 million (369.2 thousand tons)
- Insulated wires: $124.6 million (6.5 thousand tons)
- Barley: $118.9 million (300.9 thousand tons)
Ukrainian manufacturers directed their exports primarily to Poland, which received goods worth $407.7 million, followed by Turkey ($294.3 million), Italy ($231.8 million), Germany ($196.3 million), China ($189.4 million), and Spain ($185.7 million). The European Union continues to be Ukraine's key trading partner, with exports to EU countries totaling $2.04 billion in March, reflecting a 6.1% increase from February.
Looking ahead, Kachka projected that Ukraine's exports could grow to $77 billion over the next five years, highlighting a positive outlook for the country’s trade prospects. In March 2025, Ukraine exported 5.4 million tons of agricultural products, which is 9.8% more than the same figure from the previous month, further demonstrating the resilience and potential of Ukraine's agricultural sector.
As the global market continues to evolve, Ukraine's ability to adapt and enhance the value of its exports will be crucial for its economic recovery and growth. The recent export figures not only reflect the country's capacity to rebound from economic setbacks but also underscore the importance of agricultural and industrial exports in driving the economy forward.
