Romania rises to the top as Ukraine's biggest agricultural export market in 2023 at $2.8bn

Romania has emerged as Ukraine's top agricultural export market for the first time in 2023, according to data from Ukraine's National Scientific Center "Institute of Agrarian Economics" as purchases by Romania reached $2.8 billion for the year.

Romania's share in the export of Ukrainian agri-food was 13% in the 12 months of 2023.

The second place goes to China, which increased purchases of Ukrainian agricultural products by 18% in terms of value to $2.2 billion over the year. China's share in domestic agricultural exports is 10%.

Turkey imported $1.9 billion worth of agricultural products from Ukraine and retained third place with a share of 9%.

Poland, which was the main buyer of agro-food from Ukraine in 2022, fell to fourth place. Restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural products introduced by the Polish government reduced imports by a third to $1.7 billion.

The top ten largest importers also included:

- Spain – $1.7 billion

- The Netherlands – $1.2 billion

- Egypt – $1 billion

- Italy – $1 billion

- Germany $862 million

- Hungary $471 million

These ten countries generated 69% of foreign exchange earnings for domestic agri-food exporters last year.

On January 15, the United States increased the forecast for Ukrainian wheat exports.

On January 29, penalties were introduced for Ukrainian agricultural companies for manipulating exports to five EU countries.