Ukraine GDP grew 2.1% yoy in 3Q17, state agency confirms

Макроэкономика 20.12.2017 Ukraine's 3Q17 GDP grew 2.1% yoy, with the State Statistics Service having confirmed its previous estimate on its website on Dec. 19. Ukraine’s private consumption slowed to 5.2% yoy growth in 3Q17 (from 6.6% yoy in 2Q17). Government consumption grew 4.1% yoy from a 7.8% yoy drop in the previous quarter. Investment in fixed assets eased to 15.8% yoy growth from 23.7% yoy in 2Q17. Real exports surged to 13.2% yoy growth from a 2.1% yoy drop in the previous quarter. Real imports slowed to 2.6% yoy growth from 4.6% yoy in 2Q17. Ukraine's central bank had projected 2.2% yoy GDP growth for 2017, the IMF estimated 2.0% and we project 1.9%. Ukraine's GDP has grown 2.3% yoy in 9M17. Alexander Paraschiy: The structure of 3Q17 GDP growth provided surprises. Private consumption and investments remain strong, despite slowing. However, unlike previously, we see strong contributions of net exports (4.54pp) on the back of real exports surging amid real imports easing. Stronger net exports might result in a better 4Q17 GDP performance than we initially projected. However, in light of the poor grain harvest (-6.0% as of Nov. 1), we still expect 1.5% yoy GDP growth in the fourth quarter. For 2018, we anticipate GDP accelerating to 3.5% yoy growth.