Foreign trade in agri-food products between Ukraine and the United Kingdom of Great Britain

Abstract

Among the most important regional allies of Ukraine, it is worth highlighting the United Kingdom, which first as an EU member state, and then, from 2021, independently, within the framework of a bilateral agreement, contributes in every possible way to the development of free trade, in particular, agricultural, between the two countries. This is evidenced by the constantly growing volumes of exports and imports of agricultural raw materials and food products for Ukraine and the United Kingdom until 2022. The purpose of the study is to examine the dynamics of foreign trade in agricultural and food products between Ukraine and the United Kingdom, including the relationship between the development of mutual trade and the liberalisation of its conditions. Generalisation, analysis, and synthesis, comprehensive assessment, historical, graphic, and tabular methods were used. The general socio-economic characteristics of the UK are given, considering its withdrawal from the European Union and focusing on the current state of trade in agri-food products on the international market. The quantitative and cost indicators of foreign trade in agri-food products between Ukraine and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland since 2012 are analysed, the characteristic features of the commodity structure of export sales and import purchases of Ukraine are considered, including in 2022, the prospects for agricultural trade between the parties in the near future are assessed, in particular, areas for deepening foreign economic cooperation between Ukraine and the United Kingdom are proposed, and groups of products that will remain a priority even in war conditions, considering the needs of internal food markets of both countries are identified. The provisions of the study are aimed at providing information on the possibilities of developing trade in agricultural and food products with the UK for Ukrainian food sector enterprises and public authorities that ensure foreign policy and international cooperation.