Page 28 - UKRRptJuly18

Union is Ukraine’s main trading partner in the export of goods....Compared to the same period in 2017, we managed to make a qualitative leap in the trade with the EU," the Economic Development and Trade Ministry said. Ukraine’s exports to the EU soared to $6.6bn In January-May 2018, the share of Ukraine’s exports that went to the European Union constituted 42.9% of total exports. , Ukrinform reports.
Ukraine is enjoying a minor metals export boom . Through May, copper exports increased in value by 52% to $75mn, compared to the same five months last year. Aluminum exports increased by one third, to $59mn. Nickel and zinc exports were also up, according to customs statistics released by the State Fiscal Service
Ukraine's external exports swelled by 19.6% year-on-year in April on the back of booming metals exports that surged 65.8% y/y to $1bn – the sector’s best result since August 2014.
Russia’s exports to Ukraine grew by 31% during the first four months of this year, to $2.6bn . At the same time, Ukraine’s exports to Russia declined by 6%, to $1.2bn. As a result, Ukraine’s trade deficit with Russia almost doubled, hitting, $1.4bn, the State Statistics Service reports.
Ukraine-Germany agricultural products' trade grows by 150%. The trade turnover between Ukraine and Germany in agricultural and food products in January-April amounted to $239mn compared with $79.6mn compared to the same period last year.
Buoyant global demand has kept commodity prices high. The global price environment became more favourable for Ukrainian exporters in the first quarter of 2018, mainly on the back of higher prices for ferrous metals, iron ore, and grain, despite some downward adjustment seen on some markets at the end of the quarter, according to the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU).
Global steel prices remained high , boosting iron ore prices as well, and were driven by the ongoing restrictions on steel production in China. In addition, a benign business environment, the strengthening euro, and effective antidumping policies in European countries have helped maintain robust demand for steel products (especially from Austria, Germany and Italy), while also pushing up the prices of these products.
"The prices of steel products edged down in the latter half of March, as China gradually stepped up its steel production," the NBU said in its April's inflation report. The introduction of import tariffs on steel and aluminium by the United States was an additional factor, and provoked a mixed response from the market.
Exports to Czech Republic up 32% in the first quarter. Exports to the Czech Republic increased by 32%, or by $53.2mn y/y, that is, reaching $217.7mn, according to the press service of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. In 2017, 40.2% of Ukrainian exports to the Czech Republic were ores, slags and ashes, 22.5% - electrical machines, 7.8% - ferrous metals, 4.1% - wood and wood products, 3.8% mineral fuels, oil and refined products, UNIAN reports.
Vietnam resumes wheat imports from Ukraine . Vietnam’s Ministry of
28 UKRAINE Country Report July 2018 www.intellinews.com