According to the State Statistics Committee, Ukrainian exports have fallen 33.9% in the first eight months of 2015 compared to the same period last year. 

President of the Ukrainian Analytical Center, Alexander Okhrimenko, detailed the primary reasons for the lower performance in exports and why Ukraine is up against it.

Firstly, he pointed to military operations in the Donbass region in the east of the country, combined with the annexation of Crimea by Russia previously. This has heavily disrupted what was once one of the more industrial and wealthy parts of Ukraine.

He spoke about a slowing world economy leading to a collapse in the price of oil being of some benefit to the country. However, it has also led to a fall in global steel prices, one of Ukraine’s major industries. Another major issue for the economy in terms of agriculture, is the fall in grain prices which is of significant importance to the economy of Ukraine.

Okhrimenko also cited the European Union’s lack of interest in Ukrainian products outside of cheap raw materials such as grain and iron. He stated that the European Union only wants to sell finished goods to Ukraine rather than facilitate the production and purchase from the country.

This, he stated, is the primary objective of the European Union in making closer ties with Ukraine.