In January-September this year, Ukraine reduced exports of ferroalloys in physical terms by 5.5 times compared to the same period last year – to 59.167 thousand tons from 325.066 thousand tons.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS) on Tuesday, exports of ferroalloys in monetary terms decreased by 4 times to $70.961 million from $281.397 million.
At the same time, the main exports were made to Turkey (26.76% of supplies in monetary terms), Poland (24.46%) and Italy (18.79%).
In addition, in January-September, Ukraine imported 71,766 thousand tons of these products compared to 5,916 thousand tons in January-September 2023 (an increase of 12.1 times). In monetary terms, imports increased 5 times to $121.376 mln from $24.141 mln.
Imports were mainly from Poland (37.86%), Norway (15.95%) and Kazakhstan (13.90%).
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, temporarily suspended the production and processing of crude manganese ore in late October and early November 2023, while NFP and ZFP temporarily stopped smelting ferroalloys. Later, ferroalloy plants resumed production at a minimum level.
In 2023, Ukraine decreased exports of ferroalloys in physical terms by 1.5% compared to 2022, to 344.173 thousand tons, while in monetary terms, exports of ferroalloys decreased by 47.2% to $297.595 million. The main exports were to Poland (52.79% of supplies in monetary terms), Turkey (14.13%) and the Netherlands (8.46%).
In addition, in 2023, Ukraine imported 14.203 thousand tons of these products, which is 30.9% less than in 2022. In monetary terms, imports decreased by 41% to $42.927 million. Imports were carried out mainly from Poland (23.94%), India (16.08%) and Armenia (14.35%).
Prior to the nationalization of the financial institution, PrivatBank organized the business of ZZF, NZF, Stakhanovsky ZF (located on the NKT), Pokrovske and Marganetske GOKs. Nikopol Ferroalloy Plant is controlled by EastOne Group, established in the fall of 2007 as a result of the restructuring of Interpipe Group, and Privat Group.
In January-September this year, Ukraine increased exports of carbon steel semi-finished products in physical terms by 65.5% year-on-year to 1 million 529.919 thousand tons. According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS) on Tuesday, exports of carbon steel semi-finished products increased by 59.1% to $758.627 million in monetary terms.
The main exports were to Bulgaria (31.05% of supplies in monetary terms), Egypt (20.80%) and Turkey (10.08%).
In January-September 2024, Ukraine imported 5 tons of semi-finished products from Egypt for $5 thousand, while in January-September 2023, it imported 92 tons of semi-finished products from China for $169 thousand.
As reported, in 2023, Ukraine decreased exports of carbon steel semi-finished products in physical terms by 36.7% compared to 2022, to 1 million 203.454 thousand tons, while exports in monetary terms decreased by 48.9% to $608.516 million. The main exports were made to Bulgaria (36.66% of supplies in monetary terms), Poland (23.01%), and Italy (9.60%).
In addition, in 2023, Ukraine imported 96 tons of semi-finished products from China (98.26%) and Turkey (1.74%) for $172 thousand.
The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food estimates grain exports in the 2024-2025 season at 40 million tons, as the volume is not a record, and the existing infrastructure will be sufficient to supply agricultural products to foreign markets, said First Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Taras Vysotsky during a national telethon.
“This year’s harvest is somewhat smaller than the previous year due to difficult climatic conditions. Also, this year there are no carry-over balances from the previous period. Therefore, grain exports are estimated at around 40 million tons. This is not a significant and record volume. We are confident that the existing infrastructure, in particular the Danube region, land corridors, rail and road transport, and the sea corridor (…) will allow this average volume to be exported and delivered in time to the countries that need it,” he said.
Commenting on Polish farmers’ preparations to block the Ukrainian-Polish border near the Medyka checkpoint, Vysotsky confirmed that such statements were made by the Polish side.
“I want to emphasize that work is underway at the interstate level and at the level of associations to prevent these statements from being realized in any concrete actions. We show figures confirming that there is no influence of Ukrainian products on the Polish market. The vast majority of products crossing the land border are in transit and do not remain on the Polish market.
The First Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy emphasized that Ukraine sees no reason to block the border and will do everything possible to prevent protests by Polish farmers.
Ukraine has exported 12.04 mln tonnes of grains and pulses since the beginning of 2024-2025 marketing year (MY, June-July) as of October 14, 2024, including 1.593 mln tonnes shipped in October, the press service of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food reported, citing the data of the State Customs Service.
According to the report, as of the same date in 2023, the total shipments were estimated at 6.676 mln tonnes, including 7 thsd tonnes in October.
In terms of crops, since the beginning of the current season, Ukraine has exported 6.894 mln tonnes of wheat (796 thsd tonnes in October), 1.575 mln tonnes of barley (252 thsd tonnes), 10.5 thsd tonnes of rye (3.1 thsd tonnes), and 3.302 mln tonnes of corn (538 thsd tonnes).
The total exports of Ukrainian flour since the beginning of the season as of October 14 are estimated at 21.5 thsd tonnes (2.6 thsd tonnes in October), including 19.4 thsd tonnes of wheat (2.1 thsd tonnes).
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has lowered its forecast for corn exports from Ukraine this marketing year by 1 million tons to 23 million tons due to a 1 million ton decrease in the harvest estimate to 26.2 million tons.
The USDA has also downgraded its estimate of global corn production to 1 billion 217.19 million tons (-1.38 million tons compared to the September forecast) and global corn exports to 190.50 million tons (-0.87 million tons).
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has raised its forecast for wheat exports from Ukraine in the 2024/2025 marketing year (MY, July 2024/June 2025) by another 1 million tons to 16.0 million tons.
As stated in the October USDA report on Friday evening, such revision was made due to an increase in the crop estimate from 22.3 million tons to 22.9 million tons, as well as a decrease in the estimate of domestic consumption from 7.0 million tons to 6.7 million tons and transitional residues from 1.09 million tons to 0.99 million tons.
The U.S. agency recalls that last MY the wheat harvest in Ukraine amounted to 23.0 million tons, exports – 18.58 million tons, while corn – 32.5 million tons and 29.6 million tons, respectively.
USDA forecasts world wheat production in the 2024/2025 season at 794.08 (-2.8 million tons to September forecast) and world exports at 215.82 million tons (-0.69 million tons).
The estimate of both world corn production to 1 billion 217.19 (-1.38 million tons to the September forecast) and world exports to 190.50 million tons (-0.87 million tons) has also been downgraded.
