The devaluation of the national currency continues in Ukraine. Following the results of trading on March 11, the National Bank of Ukraine increased the official dollar exchange rate from UAH 43.8627 to UAH 43.9776 per dollar. The new rate has become a historical maximum and will come into effect on March 12.
At the same time, in the interbank foreign exchange market, in the afternoon, dollar purchase transactions were already taking place above the psychological mark of UAH 44. At the peak of trading, the American currency rose to the level of UAH 44.22 per dollar.
Bankers note that the current weakening of the hryvnia is not happening by chance. In their opinion, the National Bank of Ukraine may deliberately allow a gradual devaluation, in particular to increase budget revenues during the conversion of financial assistance from international partners.
According to representatives of the banking sector, in such conditions, exporters are in no hurry to sell foreign exchange earnings, expecting further growth of the dollar exchange rate. At the same time, importers have found themselves in a difficult situation due to uncertainty about the future exchange rate. Many companies have already begun to include in the cost of imported goods an exchange rate of 45.5–46 UAH per dollar, although the state budget provides for an average rate of about 45.6 UAH.
An additional factor of uncertainty is the delay in allocating a large financial aid package from the European Union , as well as the general deterioration of the economic situation due to the increase in energy prices after the start of the war between Iran and other countries in the region.
Fluctuations on the interbank market were quickly reflected in the cash market. The maximum selling rate of the dollar in bank branches rose to 44.65 UAH. This indicator was recorded, in particular, at MetaBank . The average buying and selling range was approximately 43.68–44.31 UAH per dollar.
In the card transactions segment, the peak selling price of the dollar for customers reached UAH 44.55. This rate was offered by Sense Bank and Yunex Bank . The average card buying and selling rate was within UAH 43.75–44.17.
Regarding European currencies, the official exchange rate of the hryvnia to the euro changed slightly - from 51.0386 to 50.9349 UAH per euro. In bank counters, cash euros were sold in the range of 51.35 to 51.75 UAH, and the average buying and selling rate was approximately 50.87–51.56 UAH.
In the card segment, the average exchange rate for euro transactions ranged from UAH 50.76 to UAH 51.42, with the maximum rate reaching UAH 51.80, in particular at Accordbank .
Experts do not rule out that if current economic factors persist, the dollar exchange rate may continue to remain under pressure and gradually move towards the indicators set in the state budget.
