The Impact of European Integration on the Structure and Geography of Ukraine’s Exports

The article examines the impact of European integration on the structure and geography of Ukraine’s exports in the context of contemporary economic transformations and globalization processes. The article analyzes the dynamics of the change in the vector of Ukrainian exports from traditional markets to EU markets, which was caused by the signing of the Association Agreement and the initiation of a free trade zone with the European Union. It is shown that the volume of exported products from EU countries increased from 40% in 2013 to 57% in 2024, and the European market has gained significance as a key trading partner for Ukraine. The article emphasizes that despite the positive shifts in the context of export geography, the commodity structure remains largely raw material-based, with the agricultural sector prevailing, which hinders the expansion of export potential for the implementation of innovations and technological development. The tendency of export growth in such types of products as machinery and equipment, the chemical and light industries has been analyzed, demonstrating a step-by-step diversification. Special attention was devoted to analyzing the challenges and barriers associated with limited access to seaports, which revealed the need to expand and find new logistics routes to the European Union. It was also surveyed that the geographical diversification of exports, namely, the expansion of market shares in Asia and Africa, provides the foundations for enhancing the resilience of the Ukrainian economy to external challenges. The relevance of this work, which combines and analyzes the structure and geography of Ukraine’s exports, allows for not only identifying general directions for reorientation but also exploring the foreign trade components at regional levels. Recommendations are presented for future diversification of the commodity structure, implementation of innovations, and development of infrastructure to enhance the export potential of Ukraine in the context of European integration.