According to the results of August, Ukrainian export to the countries of the European Union almost reached the pre-war level. And according to the results of the I-III quarters, it will even exceed the corresponding pre-war indicators. This was announced by Deputy Minister of Economy - Trade Representative of Ukraine Taras Kachka on the air of the national telethon.

"For today, trade between Ukraine and the European Union has actually resumed. In August, export to the EU made up 90% of the level of export recorded in August 2021. And in the three quarters of 2022, despite the war, we exported to the EU even several percent more than in the I-III quarters of 2021,"- Taras Kachka stressed.

A number of steps taken by EU countries and the Government of Ukraine contributed to the trading activity of Ukrainian exporters. In particular, the exemption of quotas and customs duties by the European Union simplified the export of agricultural products. The "lines of solidarity" initiated by the European Commission for Ukraine and the strengthening of the capacity of the customs infrastructure have greatly contributed to the revival of trade.

As the deputy minister reminded, "customs visa-free regime" will start on October 1, that is, the Convention on the common transit procedure and the Convention on simplification of formalities in trade in goods will enter into force for Ukraine. That will allow goods to cross the borders between Ukraine and EU countries even faster.

At the same time, according to Taras Kachka, in general, the level of Ukrainian export, compared to the pre-war level, has almost reduced into a half.

"If in January-February, Ukraine exported monthly at the level of 6 billion US dollars and more, now we are reaching the level of 3,4 billion US dollars - this will be approximately the result in September," - noted the deputy minister.

Export to the countries of North Africa and Asia decreased most of all. And now it is being renewed only in the context of the grain initiative and the opening of ports. Trade with the russian federation and the Republic of Belarus has also been completely suspended.

"Ukrainian business quite deliberately used the break in trade relations with the russian federation in practice. In the first weeks of the war, we completely banned import from the russian federation as a response to aggression. And now, in order to increase sanctions pressure and at the same time provide legal grounds for Ukrainian companies that had contractual obligations, we have also introduced a prohibition on export. That is, it is a fairly clear position - that Ukrainian companies are free from fulfilling their obligations under contracts with subjects of the russian federation,"- Taras Kachka noted.

Reference source: https://bit.ly/3Slj2A0