Ukrainian steelmakers reduced their production of total rolled steel by 4.3% in January–June of this year compared to the same period last year, down to 2.940 million metric tons.
According to information released by the “Ukrmetallurgprom” association on Wednesday, 599.8 thousand metric tons of rolled steel were produced in June, 537.8 thousand metric tons in May, 460.8 thousand metric tons in April, 544.5 thousand metric tons in March, in February—390.3 thousand metric tons, and in January—406.4 thousand metric tons.
As previously reported, Ukraine’s steel companies increased total rolled steel production by 4.8% in 2025 compared to 2024—to 6.521 million metric tons.
In 2024, Ukraine increased its production of general-purpose rolled steel by 15.8% compared to 2023—to 6.222 million metric tons from 5.372 million metric tons. In 2023, total rolled steel production rose by 0.4% to 5.372 million metric tons, while in 2022 it fell by 72% to 5.350 million metric tons.
In 2021, before the war, 19.079 million metric tons of rolled steel were produced, or 103.5% of the 2020 level.
Ukrainian steelmakers reduced steel production by 3.2% in January–June of this year compared to the same period last year, down to 3.566 million metric tons.
According to information released by the “Ukrmetallurgprom” association on Wednesday, 690,800 metric tons of steel were produced in June, 629,400 metric tons in May, 517,300 metric tons in April, 702,300 metric tons in March, in February—515 thousand metric tons, and in January—511.1 thousand metric tons.
As previously reported, Ukraine’s steel companies reduced steel production by 2.2% in 2025, to 7.409 million metric tons.
In 2024, Ukraine increased steel production by 21.6% compared to 2023, reaching 7.575 million metric tons. In 2023, steel production fell by 0.6% to 6.228 million metric tons, and in 2022, it fell by 70.7% to 6.263 million metric tons.
In 2021, before the war, 21.366 million metric tons of steel were produced, or 103.6% of the 2020 level.
In January–May of this year, Ukrainian companies reduced their consumption of rolled metal products by 2.22% compared to the same period last year, down to 1,592.4 thousand metric tons.
According to a press release from the “Ukrmetallurgprom” association on Tuesday, 732.4 thousand metric tons were imported during this period, accounting for 45.99% of the domestic rolled steel consumption market.
According to “Ukrmetallurgprom,” in January–May 2026, Ukrainian steel companies produced 2.340 million metric tons of rolled steel (93.3% of the figure for the same period in 2025), of which, according to the State Customs Service of Ukraine, approximately 1.480 million metric tons—or 63.2%—were exported. In January–May 2025, the share of exports was 61.5% (1.541 million metric tons out of a total rolled steel production of 2.507 million metric tons).
The share of semi-finished products in export shipments in January–May 2026 was 41.22%, which is significantly higher than the figure for the first five months of 2025 (32.23%). The share of flat products in exports from January through May 2026 is virtually the same as in January through May 2025 (46.96% and 46.59%, respectively). The share of long products, however, is noticeably lower than the figure for January–May 2025 (11.82% in 2026 versus 20.18% in 2025).
The structure of imports in January–May 2026 is characterized by a marked dominance of flat-rolled products over structural steel (62.42% and 28.59%, respectively); however, in January–May 2025, the dominance of flat-rolled products over long products was significantly greater (76.83% and 21.23%, respectively).
“In January–May 2026, the domestic market capacity amounted to 1 million 592.4 thousand metric tons of rolled steel, of which 732.4 thousand metric tons, or 45.99%, consisted of imports. In January–May 2025, the domestic market capacity was 1,557.8 thousand metric tons, of which 591.8 thousand metric tons, or 37.99%, were imported. “Thus, in January–May 2026, the domestic market capacity decreased by 2.22% compared to January–May 2025, while the share of imports increased by 8%,” the press release states.
According to the State Customs Service, the main export markets for Ukrainian rolled metal in January–May 2026 were the European Union (78.6%), the rest of Europe (11.7%), and the CIS (6.9%).
Among importers of rolled metal in January–May 2026, other European countries ranked first (47.8%), followed by Asian countries (26.6%) and the EU-27 (16.0%).
As previously reported, Ukraine’s rolled metal market grew by 21.73% in 2025 compared to 2024, reaching 4 million 1.6 thousand metric tons. Imports totaled 1 million 603.6 thousand metric tons, accounting for 40.07% of domestic rolled metal consumption.
Ukraine’s rolled steel market in 2024 contracted by 6.26% compared to the previous year—to 3 million 288.4 thousand metric tons, while in 2023 it grew 2.19 times compared to 2022—to 3 million 505.6 thousand metric tons.
EXPORTS, IMPORTS, METALLURGY, rolled metal, UKRMETALLURGPROM
In January–May 2026, Ukraine reduced imports of zinc and zinc products by 34.2% compared to the same period last year, to $14.029 million.
In May, imports of zinc and zinc products amounted to $3.499 million.
Zinc exports for the first five months of 2026 totaled $466,000, while in January–May 2025 they were $523,000. In May, zinc exports amounted to $174,000.
As reported, in 2025 Ukraine reduced imports of zinc and zinc products by 9.6% compared to 2024—to $52.982 million. Zinc exports for the past year reached $1.234 million, compared to $563,000 a year earlier.
Pure metallic zinc is used to restore precious metals, protect steel from corrosion, and for other purposes.
In January–May 2026, Ukraine cut imports of lead and lead products by 71.9% compared to the same period last year, down to $958,000.
In May, imports of lead and lead products amounted to $199,000.
At the same time, exports of lead and lead products in January–May of this year increased by 4.9% compared to the same period last year—to $3.818 million. In May, $891,000 worth of lead was exported.
As reported, Ukraine increased imports of lead and lead products by 3.3 times in 2025, reaching $7.801 million. Exports of lead and lead products last year decreased by 17.8%, to $9.377 million.
Lead is currently used primarily in the production of lead-acid batteries for the automotive industry. In addition, lead is used in the manufacture of bullets and certain alloys.
In January–May 2026, Ukraine increased imports of tin and tin products by 89.3% compared to the same period last year, reaching $3.292 million.
In May, imports of tin and tin products amounted to $555,000.
At the same time, exports of tin and tin products in January–May 2026 rose to $593,000 from $86,000 in January–May 2025. In May, $54,000 worth of tin was exported.
As reported, in 2025, imports of tin and tin products to Ukraine rose by 36.5% compared to 2024—to $4.352 million. Exports of tin and tin products amounted to $241,000, compared to $389,000 a year earlier.
Tin is used primarily as a safe, non-toxic, corrosion-resistant coating in its pure form or in alloys with other metals. The main industrial applications of tin are in tinplate (tin-coated iron) for food packaging, in solders for electronics, in plumbing, in bearing alloys, and in coatings made of tin and its alloys. The most important tin alloy is bronze (with copper).
