Dynamics and structure of Soviet Ukraine's foreign trade in the interwar period

The article is devoted to the historical and economic research of the dynamics and structure of Soviet Ukraine’s foreign trade activities in the 1920–1930’s. A large decrease in the intensity of Ukraine’s foreign trade during the period of «war communism» is revealed. The dynamics and structural changes of the domestic export-import flows by the Black Sea-Azov ports and land customs in the early 1920’s are characterized. In particular, the commodity structure of Ukraine’s foreign trade is analyzed, and the domination of its agrarian and raw nature components is revealed. The basic geographical directions of domestic freight flows are revealed. The intensity of Ukraine’s foreign trade operations during the NEP is investigated. The dominant role of Odessa and Nikolaev ports, as well as Shepetivska land customs house in domestic export and import trade is revealed. The structure of freight flows from the Ukrainian territory is analyzed. It is revealed that the main export items were grain, crop and livestock products, ores, wood and others. It was found out that the geographical structure of domestic foreign trade was limited to the countries of Western Europe at the stage of the new economic policy. Raw materials and food were exported there, and machinery, equipment and consumer goods were imported. The changes in physical volumes of Soviet Ukraine’s exports and imports during the first and second five year periods are characterized. The author emphasizes the diversified nature of the domestic export-import flows, while the dominant role of agricultural products and raw materials was preserved. Extension of geographical directions of domestic foreign trade ties is pointed out. It is proved that the absence of own statehood and the monopolization of the foreign trade by the Soviet government were important factors limiting the development of domestic economic potential.