Exports from Ukraine decreased by 3% due to war, logistics restrictions and shutdown of enterprises
27.01.2026 - 16:40
Due to the war, logistical restrictions, and the shutdown of enterprises, exports of goods and services from Ukraine decreased by 3% last year.
This was announced by the Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture Oleksiy Sobolev during his speech at the ExportCreditForum, Ukrinform reports.
“Last year was difficult. Despite the overall economic growth of more than 2%, our exports decreased by 3% to $40.5 billion. This is, unfortunately, very far from the indicators of 2021. First of all, these indicators were affected by logistical restrictions, restrictions caused by the war, including the shutdown of enterprises that are now closer to the front line,” the minister said.
He emphasized that Ukrainian manufacturers now face the task of more actively promoting their products on foreign markets. Therefore, financial institutions should offer export financing and insurance instruments. And the state should provide exporters with the necessary assistance and open access to markets.
Sobolev added that the main priority should be to increase exports and processed goods and products with high added value.
“Everyone remembers the footage of grain spilled on the Polish border or the footage of the port infrastructure destroyed by the Russians. This is also a signal that we must learn to export more value in a smaller volume, because restrictions exist and will exist. We need to export not roundwood, but furniture, not scrap metal, but metal products and engineering products, not soybeans, rapeseed, but oil, meal and other processed goods,” he emphasized.
To develop Ukraine’s export capabilities, the government expanded the powers of the Export Credit Agency (ECA), thanks to which in 2025 it was possible to support exports by $40.4 billion (approximately 40% more than in 2024). But, as the minister noted, this is not enough. According to him, work is currently underway to develop and support the state for tools available through the ECA.
Earlier, USM reported that grain export logistics had increased in price by 25-35%.
