In January-June 2024, Ukraine increased imports of agricultural products by 10% to USD 3.864 billion compared to the first half of 2023.
The National Scientific Center "Institute of Agrarian Economy" has informed about this with reference to the information of the State Customs Service, the Ukrainian News agency reports.
"The main suppliers of agricultural products to Ukraine are traditionally the countries of the European Union. They account for about 51% of import deliveries. In the first half of the year, agricultural products were purchased in this region in the amount of USD 1,956 million.
Much smaller were volumes of imports from other regions of the world. For January-June of this year, Ukrainian companies purchased food from partners from Asia for USD 759 million (almost 20% of total procurement), Latin American countries for USD 278 million (7%), and the African continent for USD 211 million (over 5%)," the message says.
In the 1st half of the year, Poland (USD 436 million), Turkiye (USD 334 million), Germany (USD 318 million), Italy (USD 181 million), the United States (USD 166 million), France (USD 161 million), the Netherlands (USD 157 million), Norway (USD 149 million), China (USD 132 million) and Spain (USD 120 million).
"Traditionally, one of the two largest shares of foreign food imports belongs to fish, crustaceans and molluscs. The volume of their procurement increased by 15% compared to the corresponding period last year. In the structure of imports of products of this product group, which amounted to USD 441 million in 6 months of the current year, frozen fish prevails. It was bought for USD 209 million, which is about 8% higher than the figure of USD 194 million for the corresponding period of 2023. Imports of the fruit and berry group, including mainly citrus fruits and bananas, as well as other fruits together with nuts - in the first half of the year, it amounted to USD 413 million, which was 10% higher than the cost of procurement for the same period of the previous year," the report said.
Also, the import of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 10% to USD 364 million, while the lion's share of imports was formed due to wines, beer, and spirits (USD 301 million).
"Seeds and fruits of oil crops were imported for January-June for USD 288 million, this actually repeated the procurement of products of this group in January-June 2023. Sunflower seeds stand out here, the value of supplies of which decreased by 10% to USD 160 million.
Various food products, including extracts, concentrates, ready-made sauces, etc., were purchased abroad for USD 270 million, which was 23% higher than the figure of the first half of last year for this group," the report said.
The cost of procurement of vegetables from abroad in the first half of the year decreased by 21% to USD 217 million.
At the same time, the main focus of Ukrainian importing companies was on the purchase of tomatoes, onions, cabbage, cucumbers, sweet pepper.
The volume of supplies of tobacco products to Ukraine during this period amounted to USD 210 million, having decreased in value by 15%.
In addition, animal feed and waste worth USD 231 million, as well as cocoa products - worth USD 205 million, were imported in the first half of the year.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, in 2023, Ukraine increased imports agricultural products by 13% to USD 7.1 billion compared to 2022.
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