Ukraine is one of the world’s top exporters of several different commodities. The country exports products to both neighboring countries and other regions such as the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. In 2017, Ukraine exported US$43.4 billion worth of products. The following are some of Ukraine’s top exports.
Iron and Steel
Iron and steel are the most important products that Ukraine exports. The country’s mining industry has a fascinating history, as it began during the Soviet Union’s five-year plans. Even after Ukraine gained its independence, the industry was still extremely important to the country’s economy.
Although the mining industry took a hit during the 2008 economic crisis, iron and steel exports are still one of the most valuable parts of Ukraine’s economy.
Cereals
Cereals are another export that is of crucial importance. Much of the country’s land is dedicated to agriculture and has very high soil quality. This famous “black soil,” also known as Chernozem, includes a significant percentage of decomposed plant matter. 30% of the world’s black soil is found in Ukraine!
Thanks to this black soil, Ukraine is the perfect environment in which to grow cereal crops such as corn, wheat, and barley.
Fats, Oils, and Waxes
Ukraine is also one of the world’s top producers of sunflower and other cooking oils. Sunflowers are another crop that flourishes thanks to the country’s soil quality. Sunflower oil is not their only significant export. They also export both vegetable and animal oils, as well as fats and waxes.
Ore
Ukraine has high natural deposits of iron ore. This natural mineral compound is crucial to steel production, as steel is extracted from ore. The majority of the country’s ore deposits are located in the Kryvyi Rih basin. Workers have developed these deposits by using surface mining.
Machinery and Machine Parts
Another top export is machines and machine parts. Machine building is a very important part of Ukraine’s economy. Most factories are located on the eastern side of Ukraine, which is conveniently close to sources of raw materials such as steel mines. The machine building sector is very export focused, with machines and parts being shipped to both bordering countries, such as Russia, and countries across the world, such as China and India.
Although it may be relatively unknown by many people, Ukraine is still an important player in the world’s economy!