Trade deficit contracted by 9.6 times in 2009

Ukraine's trade deficit decreased by 9.6 times in 2009 to $1 bn 380.7 mln against $13 bn 307.6 mln in 2008. Negative balance of trade in goods in 2009 was $5 bn 732.7 mln, and positive balance of trade in services was $4 bn 352 mln against $18 bn 580.9 mln and $5 bn 273.3 mln respectively in 2008.

Deficit of Ukraine's foreign trade in goods over eleven months shrinks by 3.7 times

The deficit of Ukraine's foreign trade in goods January through November 2009 was estimated at $4.815 billion, which was 3.7 times down on the same period in 2008 ('minus' $17.857 billion), the State Statistics Committee reported.

The export of goods in the eleven months was estimated to be worth $35.603 billion (56.6% of the January-November 2008 period), and imports amounted to $40.418 billion (50.1%).

As the State Statistics Committee said, the deficit of Ukraine's foreign trade in goods was due to trade in certain groups of commodities – energy materials, oil and fuel ('minus' $11.2 billion), pharmaceuticals ('minus' $1.743 billion), and polymers and plastic materials ('minus' $1.583 billion).

The ratio of coverage of imports by exports January through November 2009 was 0.88, whereas in the same period last year it was 0.78. Source.