In January-July this year, Ukrainian enterprises increased their consumption of rolled metal products by 1.67% year-on-year to 2 million 34.6 thousand tons.
According to a press release issued by Ukrmetallurgprom on Monday, 711.6 thousand tons, or 34.97% of the domestic rolled metal consumption market, were imported during this period.
According to Ukrmetallurgprom, in January-July 2024, steel companies produced 3.728 million tons of rolled metal products (128.4% compared to the same period in 2023), of which, according to the State Customs Service of Ukraine, about 2.405 million tons, or 64.5%, were exported. In January-July 2023, the share of exports amounted to 51.3% (1.490 million tons against a total production of 2.903 million tons of rolled steel).
The share of semi-finished products in export deliveries in January-July 2024 amounted to 46.90%, which is the same as in January-July 2023 (46.11%). The share of flat products in export deliveries in seven months of 2014 is significantly higher than in January-July 2023 (39.83% and 34.77%, respectively). The share of long products is significantly lower than in January-July 2023 (13.26% in 2024 vs. 19.13% in 2023).
“In 7 months of 2024, the domestic market capacity amounted to 2034.6 thousand tons of rolled steel, of which 711.6 thousand tons or 34.97% were imported. In January-July 2023, the domestic market capacity was 2001.2 thousand tons, of which 588.2 thousand tons or 29.39% were imported. Thus, for 7 months of 2024, there is an increase in the domestic market capacity by 1.67% compared to 7 months of 2023, with a simultaneous increase in the share of the import component by 5.58%,” the press release states.
The structure of imports in January-July 2024 is still characterized by a significant dominance of flat products over long products (79.38% and 19.04%, respectively); in January-July 2023, the dominance of flat products over long products was also significant (78.83% and 20.13%, respectively).
According to the State Customs Service, the main export markets for Ukrainian rolled steel products in January-July 2024 were the European Union (74.3%), Africa (8.8%) and the rest of Europe (7.6%). Among metallurgical importers in the first seven months of 2024, the first place was taken by other European countries (47.1%), the second by the EU-27 (29.8%), and the third by Asian countries (21.2%).
As reported, Ukraine’s rolled metal market grew 2.19 times in 2023 compared to 2022, to 3 million 505.6 thousand tons.
The company imported 1 million 118.6 thousand tons, or 31.91% of the domestic rolled metal consumption market.
In January-July this year, Ukraine increased imports of aluminum ore and concentrate (bauxite) in physical terms by 5% compared to the same period last year, up to 6,772 thousand tons.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS) on Friday, bauxite imports in monetary terms increased by 22.8% to $980 thousand during this period.
At the same time, imports were carried out mainly from Turkey (63.81% of supplies in monetary terms), China (28.64%) and Spain (7.54%).
Ukraine did not re-export bauxite in the same period of this year as in January-July 2023.
As reported, in 2022, Ukraine reduced imports of aluminum ore and concentrate (bauxite) in physical terms by 81.5% compared to the previous year – to 945.396 thousand tons. Imports of bauxite in monetary terms decreased by 79.6% to $48.166 million. Imports were mainly from Guinea (58.90% of supplies in monetary terms), Brazil (27.19%) and Ghana (7.48%).
In 2023, Ukraine imported 19,830 thousand tons of bauxite worth $2.360 million.
Bauxite is an aluminum ore used as a raw material to produce alumina, which is used to make aluminum. They are also used as fluxes in ferrous metallurgy.
Mykolaiv Alumina Plant (MAP) imports bauxite to Ukraine.
In January-July this year, Ukraine’s steelmaking companies increased their revenues from ferrous metal exports by 8% year-on-year to $1 billion 750.101 million.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS) on Friday, ferrous metals accounted for 7.73% of total revenues from exports of goods during this period, compared to 7.44% in January-July 2023.
In July, revenues from exports of ferrous metals amounted to $285.516 million, while in the previous month – $246.040 million.
At the same time, Ukraine increased imports of similar products by 21.8% to $875.262 million in the first seven months of this year. In July, the country imported products worth $141.632 million.
In addition, in January-July 2024, Ukraine reduced exports of metal products by 1.2% to $554.166 million. In July, they were exported for $77.108 million.
Imports of metal products increased by 41.2% to $611.305 million during this period. In July, these products were imported for $85.344 million.
As reported earlier, in 2023, Ukraine’s steelmaking companies reduced revenues from exports of ferrous metals by 41.59% compared to 2022, to $2 billion 647.722 million, with ferrous metals accounting for 7.32% of total revenues from exports of goods during this period, while in 2022 the share was 10.26%. At the same time, in 2023, Ukraine increased imports of similar products by 37% to $1 billion 307.046 million.
In addition, last year, Ukraine reduced exports of metal products by 16.6% year-on-year to $877.916 million. At the same time, imports of metal products increased by 40.3% to $902.565 million during this period.
In 2022, Ukraine decreased revenues from ferrous metal exports by 67.5% compared to 2021, to $4 billion 533.088 million. During this period, ferrous metals accounted for 10.26% of total revenues from exports of goods, compared to 20.49% in 2021. At the same time, in 2022, Ukraine reduced imports of similar products by 38.3% to $954.387 million.
In addition, in 2022, Ukraine reduced exports of metal products by 18.6% to $1 billion 52.512 million. Imports of metal products fell by 42.9% to $643.162 million over the year.
In January-July this year, Ukrainian companies increased imports of copper and copper products in value terms by 26.6% year-on-year to $85.210 million.
According to customs statistics released by the State Customs Service of Ukraine on Friday, exports of copper and copper products increased by 12% to $49.199 million over the period under review.
In July, copper was imported for $10.103 million and exported for $7.644 million.
In addition, in January-July 2024, Ukraine increased imports of nickel and products by 2 times compared to the same period in 2023 – up to $16.980 million (in July – $4.026 million), aluminum and aluminum products – by 21.8%, up to $250.075 million (in July – $41.276 million).
At the same time, the country reduced imports of lead and lead products by 14.4% to $610 thousand (in July – $50 thousand), imports of tin and tin products increased by 7.8% to $1.536 million (in July – $185 thousand), and increased imports of zinc and zinc products by 35.4% to $33.361 million (in July – $5.011 million).
Exports of aluminum and aluminum products in the first seven months of 2024 increased by 16.8% compared to the same period a year earlier to $64.382 million (in July – $10.207 million), lead and lead products decreased by 27.8% to $6.492 million (in July – $1.089 million), nickel and nickel products amounted to $423 thousand (in July it was absent), while in January-July 2023 it was $126 thousand.
Zinc exports for the first seven months of this year amounted to $120 thousand (in July – $21 thousand), while in January-July 2023 it was $86 thousand. Exports of tin and products amounted to $331 thousand (in July – $150 thousand) against $53 thousand in the same period a year earlier.
As reported, in 2023, Ukraine increased imports of copper and copper products by 2.2 times compared to 2022 – up to $140.795 million, while exports decreased by 20.1% to $72.078 million.
In addition, in 2023, Ukraine decreased imports of nickel and products by 74.2% compared to 2022, to $15.391 million, and increased imports of aluminum and aluminum products by 7.7%, to $366.463 million.
At the same time, it reduced imports of lead and lead products by 65.2% to $989 thousand, imports of tin and tin products by 23% to $2.728 million, but increased imports of zinc and zinc products by 18.8% to $45.966 million.
Exports of aluminum and aluminum products last year increased by 0.7% compared to 2022 to $97.616 million, lead and lead products increased by 23.5% to $14.778 million, and nickel and nickel products amounted to $532 thousand, while in 2022 it was $1.268 million.
In 2023, the company exported $130 thousand worth of zinc, compared to $1.331 million in 2022. Exports of tin and tin products amounted to $159 thousand against $424 thousand in 2022.
Exports of Ukrainian pork increased by 36% in July 2024, while imports decreased by 23.5% compared to June, the Ukrainian Pig Association (UPA) reported, citing data from the State Customs.
“During July, almost 150 tons of pork (UKTZED 0203) were imported to Ukraine, which is 23.5% less than a month earlier. At the same time, the volume of pork exports in the second month of summer amounted to more than 400 tons, exceeding the June figure by more than 36%,” the report says.
According to analysts, pork imports for 7 months of 2024 amounted to 1.78 thousand tons, while exports amounted to 1.64 thousand tons. In currency terms, the difference does not exceed 10%, or $ 0.4 million.
“The average purchase price of pork in July slightly exceeded the June figure, but in general, quotations remain at a fairly low level. On the one hand, this forms an organic entry barrier for imports, on the other hand, it supports the competitiveness of Ukrainian pork in foreign markets,” the experts explained.
According to the USBA, the UAE remains the main foreign market for Ukrainian pork (85.7% of total exports for the period), and its importers are the EU countries (37.8%) and Canada (62.2%).
China intends to increase grain imports from Ukraine and will support the smooth operation of logistics channels, assured Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Wang Yi at a meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
“In recent years, China has been Ukraine’s largest trading partner and largest exporter of agricultural products. The volume of bilateral trade has shown rapid growth in the first half of this year, demonstrating the space and potential for cooperation between the two countries,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s press service quoted him as saying.
The Chinese minister emphasized that both sides should fully realize the role of the cooperation mechanism and strengthen practical cooperation in various fields.
“China will continue to expand grain imports from Ukraine and jointly maintain uninterrupted logistics channels and international food security,” Wang Yi assured.
“Ukraine hopes to jointly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen political mutual trust, intensify cooperation in various fields such as economy, trade and agriculture, and strengthen exchanges between local sister cities,” the Ukrainian Foreign Minister said.
Kuleba assured that Ukraine highly appreciates China’s positive and constructive role in ensuring peace and maintaining international order. Ukraine also attaches great importance to China’s opinion on the political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis.
Ukraine is willing and ready to engage in dialogue and negotiations with Russia. Of course, the negotiations should be reasonable and substantive, aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace,” the Ukrainian minister summarized.
