In March, Ukraine exported goods worth over $3.6 billion, marking a 4.5% increase compared to March of last year and an 18% rise from February of the current year. For the first quarter of 2025, preliminary data shows that the total export value reached nearly $9.9 billion. This was reported by Taras Kachka, the Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade Representative of Ukraine.
Despite a decline in exports during the first two months of the year, Ukraine achieved positive dynamics in March. Significant growth in exports compared to February was driven by an increase in agricultural products, iron ore, and metallurgy products. For example, iron exports grew by over 13.4 times compared to February, increasing by $110 million. Sunflower seed exports rose 11.5 times in March, up by $15.9 million, while oilseed cake exports grew by 80.3%, adding $35.8 million, and sunflower oil exports rose by 39.2%, amounting to an additional $141.6 million.
This surge allowed the physical export volume to increase to 9.98 million tons, a 15.9% rise from February. Maritime transport exports grew by 24.7% in monetary terms and 17% in weight, while rail exports rose by 16.8% in value and 15.1% in weight.
For the first quarter of 2025, exports reached nearly $9.9 billion, reflecting an increase in the monetary value of exports despite a decline in physical weight. In March of the previous year, nearly 11.9 million tons were exported worth $3.46 billion, while in March 2025, 9.9 million tons were exported worth $3.62 billion. This indicates a gradual increase in the share of products with higher added value, reflecting the successful adaptation of Ukraine's processing industry despite the challenges posed by the war.
The most valuable exports in March were:
-
Corn ($514.4 million or 2.4 million tons)
-
Sunflower oil, safflower, or cottonseed oil ($503 million or 441,000 tons)
-
Wheat ($253.9 million or 1.1 million tons)
-
Iron ore and concentrates ($238.4 million or 2.9 million tons)
-
Soybeans ($150.2 million or 369,200 tons)
-
Insulated wires ($124.6 million or 6,500 tons)
-
Pig iron ($118.9 million or 300,900 tons)
The largest markets for Ukrainian goods in March were Poland ($407.7 million), Turkey ($294.3 million), Italy ($231.8 million), Germany ($196.3 million), China ($189.4 million), and Spain ($185.7 million). The European Union remains Ukraine's key trade partner, with exports to EU countries totaling $2.04 billion in March, marking a 6.1% increase compared to February.
