Latest News

Lawmaker: Ukrainian ports cargo exports up 68% from January to June

A senior Ukrainian lawmaker stated on Thursday that cargo shipments in Ukraine's Black Sea ports and Danube port were 68% more than they were in the same time period last year.

Danylo Hentmantsev of the Parliamentary Finance Committee said that six ports were operating and processed 52.7 millions tons of cargo, compared to 31.3 million tonnes last year.

He said that agricultural products accounted for more than 63% total shipments.

The United Nations negotiated a deal to export wartime foods in the first half 2023.

After Moscow pulled out in July 2023 Kyiv was able to establish a new shipping route.

Hetmantsev stated that the agreement only covered agricultural exports out of three Black Sea ports. He said that 36% of the total shipments this year were other goods. This included metals and mining.

Ukraine's export-driven economy relies on access to foreign markets to support a recovery. The gross domestic product of Ukraine fell by a third during the first full year of the Russian invasion.

The GDP is forecast to increase by about 3% in this year, following a 5.3% growth in 2023. (Reporting and editing by Andrew Heavens; Yuliia Dyesa)

(source: Reuters)