In 2025, the volume of Ukraine’s goods exports declined compared to 2024, which was reflected both in the overall level of shipments and in the commodity structure of exports. The share of exports of cereal crops, rapeseed and sunflower seeds, ores, sugar, and nuts decreased. At the same time, exports of soybean oil, ferrous metals, wood and wood products, as well as electrical machinery increased. Changes in Ukraine’s services trade in 2025 are analyzed in a separate article, "How Ukraine’s Services Exports Changed in 2025".

In quantitative terms, according to the State Customs Service, Ukraine’s goods exports in 2025 amounted to USD 40.37 billion, which is USD 1.21 billion less than in 2024 (USD 41.58 billion). In percentage terms, export volumes declined by 2.9%.

At the same time, goods imports to Ukraine demonstrated growth. By the end of 2025, their volume reached USD 84.74 billion, which is USD 14.09 billion higher compared to the previous year (USD 70.65 billion). In percentage terms, imports increased by 19.9%.

As a result, Ukraine’s goods trade balance deteriorated significantly in 2025 and amounted to USD -44.37 billion, compared to USD -29.07 billion in 2024. Thus, the goods trade deficit increased by 52.6%.

An additional indicator of changes in foreign trade is the import coverage ratio by exports. In 2025, this ratio stood at 47.6%, compared to 58.9% a year earlier, indicating a decline in this indicator.

Largest Decline in Share

The largest decline among the main export groups in 2025 was recorded in cereal crops (HS group 10). The share of this group in total exports decreased from 22.6% in the previous period to 18% in the current year. Export volumes fell from USD 9.41 billion to USD 7.27 billion, representing a decrease of USD 2.13 billion. The main contraction was driven by a decline in exports of corn and wheat. In 2024, corn exports amounted to USD 5.07 billion and accounted for 12.2% of Ukraine’s total goods exports. In 2025, the volume decreased to USD 3.90 billion, while its share dropped to 9.7%, corresponding to a decline of USD 1.17 billion. Wheat exports also declined. In 2024, exports of this crop reached USD 3.73 billion, or 9% of total goods exports, whereas by the end of 2025 they fell to USD 2.99 billion, with the share decreasing to 7.4%. The absolute reduction in wheat exports amounted to USD 0.74 billion.

A significant decline was also observed in the group oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit (HS group 12), within which Ukraine mainly exports soybeans, rapeseed, and sunflower seeds. The share of this group in total exports decreased from 8.1% to 5.9%, while export volumes fell from USD 3.38 billion to USD 2.36 billion. The overall reduction in exports of this group amounted to USD 1.02 billion. The decisive role in this trend was played by the decline in exports of rapeseed and sunflower seeds. In 2024, rapeseed exports amounted to USD 1.85 billion and accounted for 4.4% of Ukraine’s total goods exports. In 2025, their volume had decreased to USD 886.13 million, while the share fell to 2.2%. The absolute decline in exports of this item totaled USD 0.96 billion. Sunflower seed shipments also showed a negative trend. In 2024, exports of sunflower seeds amounted to USD 65.01 million, corresponding to 0.2% of total goods exports. In 2025, exports declined to USD 42.8 million, and their share decreased to 0.1%, implying a reduction of USD 22.21 million.

A negative trend was also recorded in the group ores, slag and ash (HS group 26). The share of these products in Ukraine’s exports declined from 6.9% to 5.9%, while export volumes decreased from USD 2.87 billion to USD 2.38 billion, or by USD 489.61 million. The key factor behind this contraction was the decline in exports of agglomerated ores and iron concentrates. In 2024, exports of these products reached USD 1.26 billion, accounting for 3% of Ukraine’s total goods exports. By the end of 2025, their volume had fallen to USD 877.79 million, while their share decreased to 2.2%. As a result, the absolute decline in exports of this commodity item amounted to USD 379 million.

A decline in export volumes was also observed in the group sugars and sugar confectionery (HS group 17). The share of this group in total exports decreased from 1.6% to 1.2%, while export volumes fell from USD 648.09 million to USD 474.38 million, representing a reduction of USD 173.71 million. The main contraction was driven by a decrease in sugar exports. In 2024, sugar exports amounted to USD 417.26 million and accounted for 1% of Ukraine’s total goods exports. In 2025, the volume declined to USD 221.37 million, while the share decreased to 0.5%. The absolute reduction in sugar exports during this period amounted to USD 195.89 million.

The smallest in scale, yet still notable, decline was recorded in the group edible fruit and nuts (HS group 08). Its share in total exports decreased from 0.9% to 0.7%, while export volumes fell from USD 358.27 million to USD 296.27 million, representing a reduction of USD 62 million. The main contraction was attributable to a sharp decline in exports of shelled walnuts. In 2024, exports of this product amounted to USD 82.03 million, accounting for 0.2% of Ukraine’s total goods exports. In 2025, shipments dropped significantly to USD 3.70 million. The absolute reduction in exports of this commodity item amounted to USD 78.33 million.

Increase in Share

Among the commodity groups whose share in the structure of Ukraine’s exports increased in 2025, the fats and oils group (HS group 15) retained a leading position. Its share in total exports rose from 13.8% in 2024 to 15.8% in 2025. At the same time, export volumes of this group increased from USD 5.73 billion to USD 6.38 billion, corresponding to an increase of USD 658.76 million. The core export product within this group was sunflower oil, with export value reaching USD 5.21 billion in 2025. The main source of growth within the group was crude soybean oil exports. In 2024, exports of this product amounted to USD 302.05 million, accounting for 0.7% of Ukraine’s total goods exports. In 2025, shipments increased to USD 574.67 million, while the share rose to 1.4%. The absolute increase in exports of this commodity item over the year totaled USD 272.62 million.

Positive dynamics were also observed in the ferrous metals group (HS group 72). The share of these products in total exports increased from 7.4% to 8.3%, while export volumes rose from USD 3.09 billion in the previous period to USD 3.33 billion in the current year. The absolute increase in shipments amounted to USD 239.74 million. The key driver of this growth was the increase in exports of non-alloy pig iron for remelting. In 2024, exports of this product totaled USD 500.28 million, accounting for 1.2% of Ukraine’s total goods exports. By the end of 2025, shipments had increased to USD 759.88 million, while the share rose to 1.9%. As a result, the absolute increase in exports of this commodity item amounted to USD 259.60 million.

An expansion of presence in foreign markets in 2025 was also demonstrated by the wood and articles of wood group (HS group 44). Its share in Ukraine’s exports increased from 3.5% to 4.2%, while export volumes rose from USD 1.46 billion to USD 1.68 billion. The overall increase in exports of this group amounted to USD 227.9 million. The growth in export volumes within the group was driven by exports of veneer sheets. In 2024, exports of veneer sheets totaled USD 217.99 million, accounting for 0.5% of Ukraine’s total goods exports. In 2025, shipments increased to USD 260.31 million, while the share rose to 0.6%, resulting in an absolute increase of USD 42.32 million.

An increase in share was also recorded in the group electrical machinery, equipment and parts thereof (HS group 85). The share of this commodity group rose from 5.4% in 2024 to 6.0% in 2025, while export volumes increased from USD 2.26 billion to USD 2.41 billion. The absolute increase in exports amounted to USD 152.96 million. The leading driver of this growth was exports of insulated wires. In 2024, exports of insulated wires amounted to USD 1.27 billion, accounting for 3.1% of Ukraine’s total goods exports. In 2025, their volume increased to USD 1.41 billion, while the share rose to 3.5%, resulting in an absolute increase of USD 137.04 million.

Overview of Focus Sectors

Metallurgy

In 2025, exports of metallurgical products from Ukraine amounted to USD 4.72 billion, which is USD 281.28 million higher than in 2024. The sector’s share in total exports increased to 11.7%.

Growth was recorded in the following product categories:

• Pig iron for remelting and spiegel iron, in pigs, blocks or other primary forms — export volumes increased to USD 759.88 million, up by USD 259.60 million compared to 2024.

• Other bars of iron or non-alloy steel — shipments rose to USD 193.97 million, an increase of USD 104.28 million.

• Hot-rolled bars — exports increased to USD 227.54 million, up by USD 71.44 million compared to the previous period.

Declines were recorded in the following categories:

• Semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel — exports decreased to USD 659.63 million, down by USD 267.87 million compared to 2024.

• Tubes, pipes and hollow profiles — shipments fell to USD 530.48 million, a decrease of USD 59.10 million.

• Flat-rolled products of other alloy steels — export volumes declined to USD 0.93 million, down by USD 10.97 million year-on-year.
   

Prepared Food Products

In 2025, exports of prepared food products from Ukraine amounted to USD 3.92 billion, which is USD 185.81 million higher than in 2024. The sector’s share in total exports increased to 9.7%.

Growth was recorded in the following product categories:

• Soybean meal — export volumes increased to USD 521.19 million, up by USD 217.21 million compared to 2024.

• Bakery products — exports rose to USD 372.72 million, an increase of USD 104 million year-on-year.

• Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa — export volumes grew to USD 338.42 million, or USD 74.87 million more than in 2024.

Declines were recorded in the following categories:

• Juices — exports decreased to USD 200.59 million, down by USD 30.43 million compared to the previous year.
   

Machinery and Equipment

In 2025, exports of machinery and equipment from Ukraine reached USD 3.65 billion, which is USD 185.29 million higher than in the previous year. The sector’s share in total exports increased to 9%.

Growth was recorded in the following product categories:

• Insulated wires and cables, including fiber-optic cables — exports increased to USD 1.41 billion, up by USD 137.03 million compared to the previous year.

• Telephone sets and other voice and data transmission equipment, including smartphones — export volumes rose to USD 117.30 million, an increase of USD 24.19 million year-on-year.

• Cranes, valves and pipeline/pressure vessel fittings — exports grew to USD 46.39 million, up by USD 20.61 million compared to 2024.

Declines were recorded in the following categories:

• Electric heating appliances and water heaters — exports decreased to USD 323.01 million, down by USD 47.15 million from 2024.

• Ships for transporting people and cargo — shipments fell to USD 2.93 million, a decrease of USD 21.11 million.

• Aircraft and spacecraft — exports declined to USD 5.04 million, down by USD 11.13 million year-on-year.
   

Furniture

In 2025, exports of furniture from Ukraine amounted to USD 1.04 billion, which is USD 131.18 million higher than in 2024. The sector’s share in total exports increased to 2.6%.

Growth was recorded in the following product categories:

• Other furniture and parts thereof — export volumes increased to USD 564.39 million, up by USD 99.15 million compared to 2024.

• Seating furniture not convertible into beds, and parts thereof — exports rose to USD 303.99 million, an increase of USD 12.22 million.

• Mattress bases, bedding, and similar articles — shipments grew to USD 64.68 million, up by USD 11.67 million compared to the previous period.
   

Apparel and Footwear

In 2025, exports of apparel and footwear from Ukraine amounted to USD 808.41 million, which is USD 59.94 million higher than in 2024. The sector’s share in total exports increased to 2%.

Growth was recorded in the following product categories:

• Suits, ensembles, jackets, etc., for women or girls — export volumes reached USD 82.32 million, up by USD 11.10 million compared to 2024.

• T-shirts, vests, and other underwear — exports rose to USD 27.12 million, an increase of USD 10.55 million.

• Other ready-made articles, including clothing patterns — shipments grew to USD 47.42 million, up by USD 9.77 million year-on-year.

Declines were recorded in the following categories:

• Other footwear with rubber or plastic soles and uppers — exports decreased to USD 19.13 million, down by USD 1.84 million.

Export Geography

In 2025, Ukrainian exports reached 204 countries, expanding their geographic coverage compared to 200 countries in 2024.

In terms of export volumes, the top five destination countries were as follows:
1. Poland — USD 5.05 billion (12.5% share of Ukraine’s total exports)
2. Turkey — USD 2.73 billion (6.8%)
3. Germany — USD 2.44 billion (6%)
4. Italy — USD 2.28 billion (5.7%)
5. Netherlands — USD 1.92 billion (4.8%)

Among the countries with the highest absolute export growth in 2025 were:

1. Turkey — USD 2.73 billion (+USD 0.53 billion)
2. Poland — USD 5.05 billion (+USD 0.36 billion)
3. Italy — USD 2.28 billion (+USD 0.35 billion)
4. Algeria — USD 0.62 billion (+USD 0.31 billion)
5. Moldova — USD 1.16 billion (+USD 0.22 billion)

Countries with the lowest absolute export growth were:

1. Spain — USD 1.73 billion (−USD 1.13 billion)
2. China — USD 1.81 billion (−USD 0.58 billion)
3. Germany — USD 2.44 billion (−USD 0.37 billion)
4. Romania — USD 1.40 billion (−USD 0.35 billion)
5. Belgium — USD 0.58 billion (−USD 0.27 billion)

In 2024, Ukraine’s exports of goods to European countries reached USD 26.55 billion, accounting for 63.9% of the country’s total annual exports. Thus, the European market remained a key destination for Ukrainian shipments, absorbing nearly two-thirds of total goods exports. In 2025, export volumes to Europe decreased to USD 25.48 billion. Against the backdrop of a decline in Ukraine’s total goods exports to USD 40.38 billion, the European market’s share fell to 63.1%.

Conclusions

By the end of 2025, the total volume of Ukrainian goods exports amounted to USD 40.37 billion, which is 2.9% lower compared to 2024. At the same time, imports showed rapid growth of 19.9%, reaching USD 84.74 billion. This led to a significant widening of the trade balance deficit, which increased by 52.6%, reaching −USD 44.37 billion.

The largest decline in exports was driven by reductions in shipments of corn, rapeseed, wheat, ores and iron concentrates, as well as sugar. At the same time, the leaders in growth were soybean oil and meal, non-alloy pig iron, and insulated wires.

In terms of export geography, Poland remains the key leader, which, together with Turkey and Italy, demonstrated the highest absolute growth in Ukraine’s export volumes.

Data source: State Customs Service of Ukraine