Business news from Ukraine

Business news from Ukraine

Metinvest reduced steel output by 7% in first quarter

7 May , 2026  

Metinvest, Ukraine’s largest mining and metallurgical holding company, reported a 7% decrease in steel production for January–March of this year compared to the same period last year—down to 454,000 tons from 488,000 tons— but maintained pig iron production at 438,000 tons (436,000 tons in Q1 2025).

According to a press release from the parent company Metinvest B.V. on Thursday regarding operating results for the first quarter of 2026, due to the start of the Russian Federation’s large-scale military aggression against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the capacity utilization of the group’s Ukrainian enterprises continues to be affected by security factors, personnel availability, power supply, as well as logistical and economic factors.

It is noted that in January–March 2026, pig iron and steel production at Kametstal decreased by 12% and 20%, respectively, compared to the previous quarter—to 438,000 tons and 454,000 tons, due to unstable power supply in January–February 2026.

In addition, it is reported that in the first quarter of 2026, production of commercial semi-finished products amounted to 185,000 tons, which is 32% less than in the previous quarter due to a decrease in the output of commercial billets against the backdrop of lower steel production volumes and the prioritization of its consumption in subsequent production stages; at the same time, this was partially offset by a 2.2-fold increase in commercial pig iron production.

However, production of commercial semi-finished products was 7% higher than in the same period of 2025, thanks to a 96% increase in commercial pig iron production.

Overall, in the first quarter of 2026, finished product production increased by 8% compared to the previous quarter and by 11% compared to the same period in 2025—reaching 660,000 tons. In particular, flat-rolled steel production amounted to 292,000 tons, matching the previous quarter’s level and representing a 12% increase compared to the same period last year, driven by the resumption of hot-rolled coil production at Ferriera Valsider and an increase in orders for hot-rolled thick plate.

Long product production amounted to 349,000 tons, an 8% increase compared to the previous quarter and a 4% increase compared to the same period last year, thanks to increased volumes at Kametstal and Promet Steel (Bulgaria); Pipe production amounted to 19,000 tons following the acquisition of the Tubular Iasi pipe plant (Romania) in December 2025.

In the first quarter of 2026, coke output decreased by 8% compared to the previous quarter and by 2% compared to the same period in 2025, to 256,000 tons, due to delays in coal deliveries amid unstable power supply.

In the first quarter, total iron ore concentrate production decreased by 2% compared to the previous quarter, to 3.882 million tons. Output of commercial iron ore products fell by 7%—to 3.521 million tons—due to unstable power supply during the reporting period. Specifically, iron ore concentrate production fell by 9% to 2.225 million tons; iron ore pellet production decreased by 3% to 1.296 million tons.

In the first quarter of 2026, total iron ore concentrate output decreased by 2% compared to the previous quarter, to 3.882 million tons. Commercial iron ore production decreased by 7% to 3.521 million tons due to unstable power supply during the reporting period. Specifically, iron ore concentrate production fell by 9% to 2.225 million tons; iron ore pellet production decreased by 3% to 1.296 million tons.

In the first quarter of this year, total iron ore concentrate production increased by 2% compared to the same period last year, while commercial iron ore output decreased by 6%. Production of iron ore pellets decreased by 24% due to the temporary shutdown of one of the roasting machines caused by damage to the power supply systems. As a result, the volume of marketable iron ore concentrate output increased by 8%.

As reported, Metinvest increased steel production by 4% in January–March 2025, to 488,000 tons. Total iron ore production for this period decreased by 15% compared to January–March 2024 but increased by 11% compared to the previous quarter, reaching 3.761 million tons. At the same time, production of commercial iron ore concentrate (IOC) decreased by 27% compared to the first quarter of 2024 and increased by 7% compared to the previous quarter, reaching 2.064 million tons. Overall, total IOC production in the first quarter of 2025 decreased by 21% compared to the first quarter of 2024 and increased by 17% compared to the previous quarter, reaching 3.815 million tons.

At the same time, Metinvest increased its production of pellet feed by 7% compared to the first quarter of 2024 and by 9% compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, reaching 1.697 million tons, but reduced its total output of coking coal concentrate by 52% compared to the first quarter of 2024 and by 51% compared to the previous quarter, to 518,000 tons. Coke production in January–March 2025 decreased by 8% compared to the first quarter of 2024 and by 6% compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, to 260,000 tons.

In the first quarter of 2025, Kametstal’s pig iron production amounted to 436,000 tons, production of commercial semi-finished products to 173,000 tons, and production of finished products to 597,000 tons. Specifically, production of flat products was 261,000 tons, and long products reached 336,000 tons.

It was also reported that in 2025, Metinvest reduced steel production by 4% compared to the previous year—to 2.018 million tons—and pig iron production by 2%, to 1.782 million tons. In 2025, output of commercial semi-finished products decreased by 3% compared to the previous year—to 839,000 tons. At the same time, commercial pig iron output doubled to 84,000 tons.

In 2025, finished product output increased by 13% compared to 2024—to 2.429 million tons. Specifically, flat-rolled steel production increased by 20%—to 1.107 million tons, while long-rolled steel production rose by 7%—to 1.322 million tons. Coke production decreased by 2% to 1.100 million tons.

In 2025, total iron ore concentrate production was comparable to the previous year’s volume and amounted to 15.695 million tons.

Metinvest is a vertically integrated group of mining and metallurgical enterprises. Its facilities are located in Ukraine—in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk regions—as well as in European Union countries, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The holding’s main shareholders are the SCM Group (71.24%) and Smart Holding (23.76%). Metinvest Holding LLC is the management company of the Metinvest Group.

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