The resumption of the blockade on Ukraine’s western borders in February significantly affected imports, with the National Bank reporting estimated losses of $350-400 million for the month, as stated in their report released on April 4.
In February, Ukraine experienced a decline in the growth of imports due to the renewed blockade of its western borders.
The National Bank of Ukraine estimates that import losses amounted to approximately $350-400 million. Notably, purchases of food products, industrial products, and wood saw the most significant decline, while imports of petroleum products and certain chemicals, including fertilizers and pharmaceuticals, increased.
This may indicate a lower intensity of border blocking for military goods transportation, as well as a shift in purchasing patterns to alternative trade and transportation routes.
Grain exports in February reached their highest physical volume since the start of the invasion, only slightly lower than the previous month.
However, exports of mining and metal products experienced a slowdown, likely influenced by the crisis in the Red Sea and weaker demand from China.
Despite these challenges, overall goods exports in January-February remained relatively close to pre-invasion levels.
Earlier it was reported that on Feb. 20, Polish protesters began to restrict traffic on the border with Ukraine. Trucks were blocked at the Medyka-Shehyni, Dolhobychuv-Uhryniv, Zosin-Ustyluh, Korczowa-Krakovets, Hrebenne-Rava-Ruska, and Dorohusk-Yagodyn checkpoints.
The farmers put forward many demands, including two main ones: the abolition of duty-free trade with Ukraine and the complete closure of the Ukrainian-Polish border for trucks.
European Parliament Committee supported the extension of duty-free trade for Ukraine on March 7. On the same day, Ukraine announced that it was ready to restrict trade with the EU, but on its own terms.