Imports in 2024: which countries dominate trade relations with Ukraine?

In 2024, Ukraine actively developed its foreign economic relations, increasing import volumes and strengthening cooperation with key partners. In the context of the global economy, Ukraine has established supplies of goods from industrialized countries, allowing not only to meet domestic demand but also to improve product quality in the market.

The main import partners are countries with a strong industrial base, developed logistics infrastructure, and stable economies. This review will examine six countries that provided the largest import volumes to Ukraine in 2024, analyzing the features of supplies, key product categories, and transportation routes.

1. China: Leader in Imports to Ukraine

China holds the leading position among Ukraine's main suppliers thanks to its advanced industry and large-scale export capabilities. In the first seven months of 2024, the total volume of imports from China amounted to approximately $7.7 billion, equivalent to over UAH 315 billion. This highlights China's significance as a strategic partner for Ukraine. Due to competitive pricing, high-quality products, and a constantly expanding range, China remains the largest supplier to the Ukrainian market.

Container shipping from China is the main method of delivery, ensuring stable and reliable imports. This type of logistics combines cost-effectiveness and convenience, making cargo delivery from China to Ukraine as efficient as possible. The main routes include sea shipping through key ports, followed by road or rail transportation. These solutions optimize logistics by reducing delivery times and costs.

Using container shipping from China to Ukraine ensures safe transport of goods over any distance. Established logistics chains, including sea container shipping and multimodal solutions, enable Ukrainian companies to receive goods quickly and with minimal risks. Modern cargo handling technologies used during transportation ensure the preservation of goods, which is especially important in international logistics.

The efficiency of deliveries from China to Ukraine is directly linked to the reliability of transport routes and the availability of services such as consolidated cargo (LCL) to optimize transportation costs. This makes logistics from China popular among both large enterprises and small and medium-sized businesses. Strengthening trade relations and a steady increase in import volumes from China demonstrate this country's importance for Ukraine's economic development.

Features of Deliveries from China

• Sea Transport: The primary method of cargo delivery from China is sea container shipping. Major ports involved in imports include:
  • Gdansk, Poland (PL),
  • Constanța, Romania (RO),
  • Odessa and Chornomorsk, Ukraine (UA).
• Consolidated Cargo (LCL): Small shipments are delivered using consolidated cargo services, particularly popular among small and medium-sized businesses.
• Rail Route: Large cargo batches are often transported via rail from the Port of Gdansk, speeding up delivery times and reducing costs.
• Multimodal Transport: The popularity of multimodal transport between China and Ukraine is growing. This solution combines sea, rail, and road transport, ensuring logistics flexibility.

Key Import Categories from China

• Electronics: Smartphones, laptops, household appliances;
• Industrial equipment: Production machinery, construction equipment;
• Textiles and footwear: Fabrics, clothing, accessories;
• Feed additives and agricultural ingredients;
• Chemical raw materials for industrial purposes.

2. Poland: A Reliable Neighbor and Strategic Partner

Poland ranks second among Ukraine's import countries, showcasing steady growth in trade relations. In the first seven months of 2024, imports from Poland amounted to approximately $4 billion, equivalent to over UAH 164 billion. Active trade is driven by geographical proximity and the high quality of Polish products.

Thanks to its convenient location and developed infrastructure, deliveries from Poland to Ukraine are fast and reliable. The primary transportation method is road transport, offering flexible routes and minimal delivery times. For larger cargo shipments, rail transport from Poland is also actively used, making logistics from this country economically advantageous and sustainable.

Poland is a key partner for Ukraine in ensuring regular supplies of various goods. Its developed network of logistics hubs and consistent freight transport availability allows optimization of logistics from Poland to meet business needs. This makes imports from Poland accessible and in high demand among Ukrainian companies.

The efficiency of transport from Poland is evidenced by stable trade volumes and growing demand for Polish products. Established logistics chains from Poland contribute to strengthening trade relations between the countries, making Poland one of Ukraine's most reliable partners.

Features of Deliveries from Poland

• Road Transport: Proximity enables rapid deliveries via road transport.
• Rail Transport from Poland: Deliveries of large cargo batches are facilitated through rail transport from the Port of Gdansk.
• Consistent Freight Transport Availability: Ensures the stability of supplies.

Key Import Categories from Poland

• Food products: Groceries, dairy, and meat products;
• Construction materials: Cement, bricks, insulation;
• Industrial equipment for production lines;
• Raw materials and everyday goods: Household chemicals, packaging.

3. Germany: Europe's Industrial Giant and Key Partner for Ukraine

Germany ranks third among Ukraine's import countries, solidifying its position as a key trade partner. In the first seven months of 2024, imports from Germany amounted to approximately $3.1 billion, equivalent to over UAH 128 billion. This trend underscores the importance of German products in Ukraine, known for their high standards and innovative solutions.

Advanced infrastructure and reliable logistics chains ensure efficient deliveries from Germany to Ukraine, making this country one of the most convenient business partners. The primary transportation method is road transport, guaranteeing cargo safety and timeliness.

The demand for German products in Ukraine remains high, reflected in stable trade volumes and strong market demand. Established logistics chains from Germany strengthen economic ties between the countries and open new opportunities for cooperation.

Features of Deliveries from Germany

• Road Transport: Main method for delivering automotive parts and vehicles from Germany.
• Rail Routes via Eastern Europe: Ensure stable delivery times.
• Pharmaceutical Transport: Compliance with all norms and standards for shipping pharmaceuticals.

Key Import Categories from Germany

• Vehicles and auto parts: Engines, tires, body parts;
• Industrial equipment: Machines, production lines;
• Pharmaceuticals and medical products;
• Chemical raw materials and pesticides for agriculture.

4. Turkey: Ukraine's Black Sea Partner

Turkey continues to strengthen its trade relations with Ukraine, ranking fourth among key partners. In the first seven months of 2024, imports from Turkey amounted to approximately $2.5 billion (over UAH 102.5 billion). This reflects stable and growing trade ties between the two countries, as well as high demand for Turkish goods in Ukraine.

Turkey stands out for its diverse range of exported goods, making deliveries from Turkey to Ukraine highly relevant and in demand. With its developed infrastructure and convenient geographical location, Turkey facilitates road transportation through Bulgaria and Romania, ensuring efficient and reliable logistics.

Effective logistics chains from Turkey make importing goods convenient for Ukrainian companies. Consistent freight availability allows for regular deliveries with minimized waiting times. This makes logistics from Turkey an attractive solution for both small and large businesses.

The high trust in Turkish products, well-established transportation routes, and steady growth in import volumes contribute to strengthening economic ties between the countries, opening new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation.

Features of Deliveries from Turkey

• Road Transport from Turkey to Ukraine: The primary method of delivery is road transport through Bulgaria and Romania, ensuring fast logistics.
• Consistent Freight Availability: Turkey offers reliable solutions for transporting a wide range of goods.

Key Import Categories from Turkey

• Chemical raw materials: Materials for industrial and agricultural use;
• Vegetables and agricultural products;
• Construction materials: Cement, ceramic tiles, insulation;
• Textiles and ready-made clothing: Fabrics, accessories, fashionable apparel;
• Household appliances: Air conditioners, refrigerators, kitchen equipment.

5. Italy: Quality and Style

Italy ranks fifth among Ukraine's key trade partners, thanks to its premium-class products. In the first seven months of 2024, imports from Italy amounted to approximately $2 billion (over UAH 82 billion). Italian goods are renowned for their high quality, stylish design, and sophistication, making them especially in demand in the Ukrainian market.

Thanks to established logistics routes, deliveries from Italy to Ukraine are fast and reliable. The primary transportation method is road transport, ensuring minimal delivery times and cargo preservation. Regular routes enable the timely delivery of even perishable goods such as food products, including cheeses, wines, and olive oil.

The Ukrainian market highly values Italian furniture, which combines style and functionality, as well as Italian clothing, symbolizing elegance and premium quality. Italian food products are also in high demand, underscoring the importance of Italy as a supplier of exclusive goods.

Established logistics chains from Italy make imports convenient and accessible for Ukrainian companies. The steady demand for Italian goods and the growth of shipments from Italy contribute to the further development of trade relations, strengthening economic cooperation.

Features of Deliveries from Italy

• Road Transport from Italy: The predominant method for delivering goods, ensuring speed and cargo safety.
• Regular Routes for Perishable Food Products: Olive oil, wines, and cheeses are transported with full compliance with temperature regulations.

Key Import Categories from Italy

• Furniture and interior elements: Sofas, tables, decorative items;
• Clothing and footwear: Collections from fashion brands;
• Food products: Italian wine, cheeses, pasta, and olive oil.

6. USA: Ukraine's Technological Partner

The United States ranks sixth among Ukraine's largest trade partners, demonstrating stable trade volumes. In the first seven months of 2024, imports from the USA amounted to approximately $1.8 billion (over UAH 74 billion). American goods are highly valued in Ukraine for their quality, innovation, and adherence to international standards.

The foundation of trade relations includes technologies, medical equipment, and chemical products from the USA, which play a vital role in the development of Ukrainian industries and healthcare. High trust in American goods ensures their consistent demand in the Ukrainian market.

To ensure efficient logistics, deliveries from the USA to Ukraine use modern solutions. The main transportation method is sea transport, which provides an optimal balance of cost and volume. For urgent shipments, including technological and medical goods, air transport is actively used, minimizing delivery times.

Well-established logistics chains from the USA include transatlantic routes and shipments through European hubs, making imports convenient and reliable. The effectiveness of deliveries from the USA is confirmed by the high satisfaction levels of Ukrainian companies using American products.

The steady growth in import volumes from the USA and strengthened economic ties between the countries highlight the importance of cooperation, opening new prospects for the further development of trade relations.

Features of Deliveries from the USA

• Sea Transatlantic Transport: The main method for delivering goods from the USA, making logistics cost-effective.
• Air Transport for Urgent Shipments: Used for perishable or time-sensitive goods, routed through European freight terminals.

Key Import Categories from the USA

• Technologies: IT equipment, servers, gadgets;
• Medical equipment: Tomographs, surgical instruments;
• Chemical products: Polymers, laboratory reagents, production raw materials.

Key Trends in Imports in 2024

1. Growth in Total Import Volumes:
   In the first seven months of 2024, import volumes reached $39.1 billion, indicating a recovery of Ukraine’s economic activity and increasing domestic demand.
2. Change in Commodity Structure:
   Key categories of imported goods:
   • Machinery, equipment, and vehicles – 34.3% of the total volume;
   • Chemical industry products – 17.6%;
   • Fuel and energy products – 12.9%.
3. Diversification of Suppliers:
   While China remains the leader, import volumes from Poland, Germany, Italy, and the USA have significantly increased.
4. Logistics Challenges:
   Changes in global supply chains and domestic infrastructure constraints affect delivery times and costs.