Ukraine focuses on non-raw material exports and the development of high value-added products: Oleksii Sobolev at ExportCreditForum
The development of non-raw material exports has been and remains one of Ukraine's priorities. It is fundamentally important for the Government that Ukrainian exporters feel real, systematic, and predictable support from the state — at a level that has long been the standard for business in developed economies. This was stated by Oleksii Sobolev, Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine, in his statement at the ExportCreditForum in Kyiv on January 27, 2026.
According to the Minister, war, infrastructure destruction, global economic transformation, and new trade and financial restrictions are shaping a new reality in which Ukraine is forced not only to adapt but also to build the economy of the future. And exports are one of the key drivers of sustainability and recovery.
“We are talking not only about the need to increase exports as such, but also about changing their structure. Our priority is non-raw material exports. The development of such exports, increasing sales abroad of processed goods and products with high added value, is one of the key tasks of the Made in Ukraine policy. We must learn to produce and export greater value in smaller volumes: not round timber, but furniture; not scrap metal, but metal products and machinery; not soybeans and rapeseed, but oil and oilseed meal. We also need to open up new export niches for high value-added goods," emphasized Oleksii Sobolev.
The Export Credit Agency is an important institution supporting non-commodity exports. In 2025, the ECA supported exports worth UAH 10.43 billion, which is 40% more than in 2024. As Oleksii Sobolev noted, this is a good pace, but much larger volumes are needed. The ECA should play a leading role in the growth of non-commodity exports.
As the Minister noted, last year saw negative trends for Ukrainian exports. Despite economic growth of around 2%, Ukrainian exports of goods fell by 3% to USD 40.5 billion. This is less than in 2022. Therefore, manufacturers, exporters, financial institutions, and the state have a lot of work to do, and joint efforts will yield better results. In particular, manufacturers should more actively promote their products in foreign markets. Financial institutions should offer export financing and insurance instruments. The state should provide exporters with the necessary assistance and open access to export markets.
The Minister expressed his conviction that the ExportCreditForum, as one of the important platforms for dialogue between the Government and business, will allow the formation of a list of issues and solutions, the implementation of which will make Ukrainian exports stronger, more competitive, and more secure.
Background information
ExportCreditForum is a key platform for partnership dialogue between the state, the financial sector, and business on the development of Ukrainian non-commodity exports. The event is organized by the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine and the Export Credit Agency of Ukraine.