Transport visa-free regime increased Ukraine’s exports to the EU by 47.5% by road

Ukrainian exports to the European Union have increased by 47.5% over the year and a half of the Agreement on Liberalization of Freight Transport between Ukraine and the EU (transport visa-free regime) compared to the same period before it was signed. This was announced by Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for Recovery and Minister of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure.

Imports from the EU by road increased by 44% over the same period.

In 2023, Ukrainian truck exports increased by 30% compared to 2021

«Thanks to the agreement, exports of goods by truck to the EU increased by 30% this year compared to 2021, when the permit system was in place. At the same time, the agreement is a key element of the Solidarity Roads to support grain exports in the absence of stable alternative routes and the sea blockade,» Kubrakov noted.

In 2022, exports of Ukrainian goods by road to the EU increased by 40% y/y. Last year, imports by road increased by 11% year-on-year, and in 2023 – by 25% compared to 2021, before the agreement was signed.

At the same time, Kubrakov emphasized that violations of the agreement, such as the blockade of checkpoints by Polish protesters, had a negative impact on the Ukrainian economy and exports.

«Complete unblocking of the border and prevention of similar situations in the future should become the principle of economic security of our region,» he noted.

The agreement on freight liberalization between Ukraine and the EU was signed in June 2022 for a one-year period. In 2023, it was extended until June 30, 2024.

As GMK Center reported earlier, the border blockade has already caused at least $1 billion in losses to the Ukrainian economy and continues to generate them every day.