The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has decided to extend the current restrictions on the export of a number of strategic raw materials until the end of 2026. This includes a ban on the export of unprocessed wood, fuel wood, as well as scrap ferrous metals and copper, which directly affects the foreign economic activity of businesses.

The relevant decision was announced by the Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko. According to her, the government is maintaining a zero-quota licensing regime, which effectively makes it impossible to export these resources abroad for the next two years.

The key goal of this step is to keep strategic raw materials within the country and direct them for domestic processing. The government emphasizes that this allows creating added value in Ukraine, supporting the operation of enterprises and reducing dependence on imports of finished products.

The Cabinet of Ministers pays special attention to the scrap metal market. According to Svyrydenko, scrap metal is a critically important raw material for the Ukrainian metallurgical and foundry industries. Despite the export duty, its export volumes abroad have been growing, with a significant part of such exports taking place in transit to third countries without creating added value for the Ukrainian economy.

Domestic scrap metal processing, the government emphasizes, provides jobs, tax revenues, and the production of products necessary for defense and post-war reconstruction. Additionally, it contributes to reducing carbon emissions, which meets the state's environmental goals.

As for wood, the government has actually extended some of the restrictions introduced at the end of October. Due to the full-scale war, the volume of logging in Ukraine has decreased, woodworking enterprises are facing a shortage of raw materials, and for many territorial communities, firewood remains a key resource for heating.

The Cabinet of Ministers believes that maintaining restrictions on wood exports will help stabilize the domestic market, support Ukrainian producers, and reduce pressure on the environment. In addition, such decisions, according to the Prime Minister, strengthen the energy security of communities in difficult wartime conditions and preparation for the heating seasons.

Thus, the government considers the extension of the ban on the export of wood and scrap metal until the end of 2026 as an element of industrial, environmental, and security policy aimed at strengthening the country's domestic potential.