Analysis of the product structure of Ukraines trade with the EU

Abstract

The article presents a comprehensive study of the characteristics of the commodity structure of Ukraine's trade with the European Union in the conditions of war, as well as the dynamics of export and import of the main commodity groups in the period from 2019 to 2023. Statistical data on Ukraine's foreign trade with the EU obtained from official sources, including the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and Eurostat, were thoroughly analyzed. This made it possible to create a complete picture of trade relations between Ukraine and the EU during the studied period. In the course of the study, the key factors that significantly influenced the dynamics of trade during the studied period were identified. Among them, the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, which led to a global economic downturn and disruption of supply chains, is particularly highlighted. The recovery of the world economy in 2021, which was accompanied by an increase in demand for key export products of Ukraine, also had a significant impact. The most dramatic factor was the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which radically changed the economic situation in the country and significantly affected its foreign trade relations. The influence of each of these factors on the export and import of individual product groups has been studied in detail. In particular, the dynamics of trade in food and agricultural products, metals and metal products, machines and equipment, chemical products, wood and wood products, mineral products, vehicles, textiles and textile products were analyzed. This made it possible to identify key trends and changes in the structure of Ukraine's trade with the EU. The article pays special attention to the analysis of changes in the structure of Ukraine's exports to the EU. In particular, an increase in the share of agricultural products and food products in the total volume of exports was noted, which partially compensated for the drop in exports in other sectors. This trend is related both to global changes in the world markets and to the peculiarities of the economic situation in Ukraine during the war. An important aspect of the study was the determination of the role of labor relations between Ukraine and the EU in the context of foreign trade. The impact of labor migration on economic indicators, in particular on the volume of remittances and their role in maintaining Ukraine's balance of payments, is analyzed. This made it possible to expand the understanding of the economic relations between Ukraine and the EU, which go beyond purely trade relations. The presented study provides a comprehensive analysis of the state and dynamics of trade relations between Ukraine and the EU in the face of significant global and regional challenges. It can serve as a basis for further research and development of strategies for the development of Ukraine's foreign economic relations in the context of European integration and post-war economic recovery.