Analysis of the structure of export-import activity of Ukraine

Foreign trade is a major factor in a country's economic development since it facilitates the integration of the national economy into the global system by granting access to foreign resources, technologies, and markets. In the context of globalisation, economic processes are constantly changing, requiring continuous monitoring and analysis of international economic relations. For Ukraine, which has undergone considerable economic and political changes in recent years, the study of foreign trade dynamics, particularly the structure of imports and exports, is particularly relevant. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively investigate changes in Ukraine's foreign trade from 2017 to 2024, specifically to identify key trends in trade balance dynamics, structural shifts in exports and imports, and to determine prospective development vectors of export-import activities. To fulfil this purpose, the study analysed trade balance dynamics, examined the dynamics of the commodity structure of Ukraine's foreign trade through the analysis of the shares of product groups in total trade turnover, assessed the geographic structure of imports and exports considering changes in international trade partnerships, and analysed changes in the structure of service exports and imports. The analysis of Ukraine's foreign trade for 2017-2024 revealed key trends and issues. In the trade in goods, a persistent negative balance was observed due to reliance on energy imports and the raw material orientation of exports. In contrast, the services sector showed a positive trade balance, driven by the growth of the IT sector. Changes in the geographical structure of trade highlighted a shift towards European markets and increased reliance on imports from China, affecting the commodity structure of Ukraine's export-import activities, with substantial implications for the country's economic strategy. The findings obtained can be used to shape economic and trade policies aimed at optimising foreign economic relations and reducing risks associated with dependence on specific suppliers and countries