Philippines, Ukraine seek stronger trade in agriculture, IT, pharma

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June 2, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Ukraine is aiming to increase bilateral trade with the Philippines, citing opportunities in various sectors including agriculture, information technology (IT) and pharmaceuticals.

In a briefing yesterday, Ukraine’s Ambassador Yuliia Fediv said there is room to grow trade between the two countries.

“We already have trade… but I think the amounts are not so high and it’s because businesses do not know enough about each other,” she said.

She said that bilateral trade was valued at around $60 million in 2025, with the bulk or 70 percent accounted for by goods from the Philippines.

Top exports from the Philippines to Ukraine include processed food and electronic products.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s major exports to the Philippines are agriculture products such as wheat, flour, soybean, sunflower oil, as well as pharmaceuticals.

Fediv said that last year’s bilateral trade was about the same level as 2024’s.

However, she said that Ukraine’s trade with the Philippines is lower than those with Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam.

“The Philippines now is not the first one on this list as we see the numbers. That’s why for us it’s important to move the Philippines into the first three [spots], because the potential is there, the interest is there,” she said.

She said many Ukrainian businesses are interested to do business in the Philippines, but need more information on how to enter the market.

She also said the same applies to Philippine counterparts.

“They (Philippine firms) are interested in both, in importing from Ukraine, especially the agricultural products, and also in exporting to Ukraine processed food. That’s why it’s reciprocally of interest for both sides,” she said.

Fediv said there is also interest from Ukraine’s firms to do business in the Philippines as the latter is currently negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU).

“I think it’s also logical to align and to work together because I think Ukraine will become also a part of the FTA in the nearest future when we become a full member of the EU,” she said.

Apart from agriculture, she said other areas seen to offer opportunities for Ukraine firms are IT, creative industries and pharmaceuticals.

As part of efforts to boost trade and economic ties, she said that the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce are working on a memorandum of agreement to help businesses learn about regulations and market entry points.

Fediv said that Ukraine is also organizing a business mission to the Philippines in July, allowing Ukrainian firms to explore business opportunities in the country.