In January-May this year, Ukraine increased exports of processed pig iron in physical terms by 45.2% compared to the same period last year, up to 736,418 thousand tons from 507,106 thousand tons.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS) on Friday, pig iron exports in monetary terms increased by 53.2% to $290.546 million during the period under review.
At the same time, exports were carried out mainly to the United States (79.11% of supplies in monetary terms), Italy (10.23%) and Turkey (5.90%).
In the first 5 months of the year, the country imported 29 thousand tons worth $55 thousand from Brazil (68.52%) and Germany (31.48%), while in January-May 2024, 15 tons of pig iron were imported for $35 thousand.
As reported, on March 12 this year, the United States began levying a 25% duty on imports of Ukrainian steel products, except for pig iron, in accordance with President Donald Trump’s decision.
In 2024, Ukraine reduced exports of processed pig iron by 3.4% in physical terms compared to 2023, to 1 million 290.622 thousand tons, and by 6.1% in monetary terms, to $500.341 million. Exports were mainly to the United States (72.64% of supplies in monetary terms), Turkey (8.03%) and Italy (7.30%).
In 2024, the country imported 38 tons of pig iron worth $90 thousand from Germany, while in the same period of 2023 it imported 154 tons of pig iron worth $156 thousand.
In January-May 2025, Ukraine imported medicines in dosage forms or packaged for retail trade for a total of $836.281 million.
According to the State Customs Service, exports of medicines during this period amounted to $92.989 million in monetary terms.
In addition, in the first five months of 2025, Ukraine imported non-dosed and non-packaged medicines for retail trade for $4.99 million, and ketgut, reagents, contrast agents, contraceptives and dental materials for $27 million.
The main countries from which Ukraine imports medicines are Germany (19.7%), India (10.4%) and France (7.36%). The main export markets are Uzbekistan (19.94%), Lithuania (19.7%) and Kazakhstan (13.4%).
In January-May this year, Ukraine increased its exports of ferroalloys in physical terms by 6.7 times compared to the same period last year – up to 45,002 thousand tons from 6,670 thousand tons.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS) on Friday, exports of ferroalloys increased 5.2 times in monetary terms to $49.902 million.
The main exports were to Poland (32.69% of supplies in monetary terms), Turkey (21.88%) and Algeria (20.81%).
In addition, in 5 months of 2025, Ukraine imported 17.222 thousand tons of these products, a 64.3% decrease compared to the first 5 months of 2024. In monetary terms, imports fell by 55.7% to $34.684 million. Imports were carried out mainly from Norway (25.71%), Kazakhstan (16.73%) and Georgia (9.84%).
As reported, Pokrovsky Mining and Processing Plant (PGOK, formerly Ordzhonikidze Mining and Processing Plant) and Marganetsky Mining and Processing Plant (MGOK, both in Dnipropetrovska oblast), both part of Privat Group, stopped mining and processing of crude manganese ore in late October and early November 2023, while NFP and ZFP stopped smelting ferroalloys. In the summer of 2024, ferroalloy plants resumed production at a minimal level.
In 2024, Ukraine reduced exports of ferroalloys in physical terms by 4.45 times compared to 2023 – to 77.316 thousand tons from 344.173 thousand tons, while in monetary terms, exports decreased by 3.4 times – to $88.631 million from $297.595 million. The main exports were to Poland (27.40% of supplies in monetary terms), Turkey (21.53%) and Italy (19.82%).
In addition, last year Ukraine imported 82.259 thousand tons of these products compared to 14.203 thousand tons in 2023 (an increase of 5.8 times). In monetary terms, imports increased by 3.3 times to $140.752 million from $42.927 million. Imports were carried out mainly from Poland (32.71%), Norway (19.55%) and Kazakhstan (13.90%).
Prior to the nationalization of the financial institution, PrivatBank organized the business of ZZF, NZF, Stakhanovsky ZF (which is on the NKT), Pokrovske and Marganetske GOKs. Nikopol Ferroalloy Plant is controlled by EastOne Group, created in the fall of 2007 as a result of the restructuring of Interpipe Group, and Privat Group.
Ukrainian enterprises increased exports of ferrous metal scrap by 45.5% in January-May this year compared to the same period last year, from 102,366 tons to 155,809 tons.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SRS) on Friday, 28,600 tons were exported in May, 46,321 tons in April, 39,908 tons in March, 25,284 tons in February, and 15,696 tons in January.
In monetary terms, scrap metal exports in January-May increased by 46.4% to $48.127 million from $32.872 million.
In January-May this year, Ukrainian mining companies reduced exports of iron ore in physical terms by 12.8% year-on-year to 13 million 545,967 thousand tons from 15 million 542,428 thousand tons.
According to the statistics released by the State Customs Service on Friday, during this period, foreign exchange earnings from the export of iron ore decreased by 21.5% to $1 billion 73.888 million from $1 billion 367.161 million.
Exports of iron ore were carried out mainly to China (44.98% of supplies in monetary terms), Slovakia (17.17%) and Poland (16.65%).
In addition, in January-May 2025, Ukraine imported iron ore worth $46 thousand in the amount of 65 tons from the Netherlands (46.67%), Norway (28.89%) and Italy (24.44%), while in the same period last year it imported 303 tons worth $121 thousand.
As reported, in 2024, Ukraine increased exports of iron ore by 89.8% compared to 2023 – up to 33 million 699.722 thousand tons, while foreign exchange earnings increased by 58.7% to UAH 2 billion 803.223 million.
In 2024, Ukraine imported iron ore worth $414 thousand in a total volume of 2,042 thousand tons, while in 2023, 250 tons of this raw material were imported for $135 thousand.
In 2023, Ukraine decreased exports of iron ore in physical terms by 26% compared to 2022 – to 17 million 753.165 thousand tons. Foreign exchange earnings amounted to $1 billion 766.906 million (down 39.3%). The company imported iron ore for $135 thousand, totaling 250 tons.
In January-May 2025, Ukrainian companies increased imports of copper and copper products by 20% compared to the same period last year, to $77.971 million. This is evidenced by the data of the State Customs Service of Ukraine.
Copper exports also increased by 17.8% to $38.762 million over the same period. In May, the volume of imports amounted to $16.245 million, and exports – $9.635 million.
For comparison, in 2024, the volume of copper imports remained virtually unchanged compared to 2023 and amounted to $140.797 million. At the same time, exports increased by 22.4% to $88.237 million.
In 2023, despite the war, Ukraine doubled its copper imports to $140.795 million (+120% yoy), while exports decreased by 20.1% to $72.078 million. The upward trend in copper trade in 2025 indicates a recovery in demand for the metal from both the domestic market and foreign buyers.
Copper is widely used in electrical engineering, pipe manufacturing, alloys, medicine and other industries.
imports, exports, copper
