Ukraine's food, agricultural exports to Norway up 31% in first half-year

MOSCOW. Aug 10 (Interfax) - Trade statistics for the first half of 2023, compared with the same period last year, have demonstrated a 26% increase in trade in goods between Norway and Ukraine, the Ukrainian media reported, citing the Norwegian-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce (NUCC).

"An important and marked trend is a substantial increase, by 31%, in Norwegian imports from Ukraine. This growth was primarily due to the rising demand for food and agricultural products used in the production of animal feed," the NUCC said.

In other sectors, such as manufacturing, machine-building, furniture and garment manufacturing, the level of trade remained stable, it said.

A similar animation in Norwegian-Ukrainian trade relations was observed in Norway's export of goods to Ukraine, which grew by 25% in the first six months year on year.

The increase in seafood trade was "especially impressive," at 18% above the previous years of cooperation, the NUCC said. The monetary value of the income from these exports rose by 25%, which is due to price hikes.

Furthermore, over the reporting period Norway boosted its export of electric vehicles (EVs) to Ukraine, having shipped over 800 EVs in June alone. "These exports make up around one-third of all EV imports by Ukraine, making Ukraine an important export market for used Norwegian EVs," the NUCC said.