Ukraine’s imports exceeded exports more than three times: foreign trade deficit reached a record $6.3 billion

In October 2026, Ukraine recorded a record monthly deficit in foreign trade in goods — $6.3 billion. The cost of imported products more than tripled the volume of exports. In total, for ten months of the year, the negative balance of trade in goods reached almost $52 billion.

This is reported by ThePublic with reference to Forbes Ukraine and data from the State Customs Service.

Ukraine imports significantly more than it exports

According to the results of October 2026, the volumes of foreign trade in goods were:

$9.1 billion — imports of goods to Ukraine;

$2.8 billion — exports of Ukrainian products;

$6.3 billion — deficit of foreign trade in goods.

Thus, in October, Ukraine spent approximately 3.25 times more on the purchase of foreign goods than it received from the export of its own products.

In January-October 2026, Ukraine’s total trade turnover amounted to almost $116.6 billion.

Of this amount, imports accounted for $84.2 billion, while exports amounted to over $32.4 billion. Accordingly, the negative balance of trade in goods for ten months reached approximately $51.8 billion.

Which countries supply the most goods to Ukraine?

China remains Ukraine’s main trading partner in terms of import volumes.

The largest suppliers of goods in January-October 2026:

China – over $25.6 billion;

Poland – over $7.9 billion;

Germany – almost $5.5 billion.

At the same time, the largest sales markets for Ukrainian products were Poland, Germany and Turkey.

In particular, Ukraine exported goods worth almost $4.1 billion to Poland, $2.4 billion to Germany, and over $2.3 billion to Turkey.

What does Ukraine buy the most from abroad?

According to the State Customs Service, the largest share of imports is made up of industrial products, energy and chemical products.

Among the main categories:

Machinery, equipment and vehicles – over $38.9 billion.

Fuel and energy products – over $12.1 billion.

Chemical products – almost $10.9 billion.

Together, these three categories form about 74% of the total value of imports.

At the same time, the volume of taxable imports for ten months amounted to $58.3 billion, or approximately 69% of all imported goods.

What does Ukraine export the most?

Food products continue to form the basis of Ukrainian exports.

In January-October 2026, the largest export revenues were provided by:

Food products – almost $18.6 billion.

Metals and products made from them – about $3.1 billion.

Machinery, equipment and transport – approximately $3 billion.

Thus, the food sector provided more than half of the total value of Ukrainian merchandise exports.

Why is a trade deficit dangerous for the economy?

A significant excess of imports over exports indicates an imbalance in Ukraine’s foreign trade.

Among the potential economic consequences are an increase in the need for foreign currency to pay for imports, additional pressure on the foreign exchange market and dependence on external sources of financing.

At the same time, a trade deficit does not mean an automatic weakening of the hryvnia or an economic crisis. Its impact depends, in particular, on international financial assistance, capital inflows, the currency policy of the National Bank and the structure of imports.

In conditions of a full-scale war, part of import purchases is related to meeting the critical needs of the state, energy, and economy.