Business news from Ukraine

Business news from Ukraine

Consumption of rolled metal products in Ukraine rose by 3.6% in first half of year

In January–June of this year, Ukrainian companies increased their consumption of rolled metal products by 3.64% compared to the same period last year—to 2 million 9.3 thousand metric tons.

According to a press release from the “Ukrmetallurgprom” association, 880.3 thousand metric tons were imported during this period, accounting for 43.81% of the domestic rolled steel consumption market.

According to “Ukrmetallurgprom,” in January–June 2026, Ukrainian steel companies produced 2.940 million metric tons of rolled steel (95.8% of the figure for the same period in 2025), of which, according to the State Customs Service of Ukraine, approximately 1.811 million metric tons—or 61.6%—were exported. In January–June 2025, the share of exports was 60.2% (1.848 million metric tons out of a total rolled steel production of 3.070 million metric tons).

The share of semi-finished products in export shipments in January–June 2026 was 42.85%, which is significantly higher than the figure for the same period in 2025 (30.90%). The share of flat products in exports in January–June 2026 was slightly lower than in January–June 2025 (43.90% and 46.81%, respectively). The share of long products, however, was noticeably lower than in January–June 2025 (13.35% in 2026 versus 22.29% in 2025).

The structure of imports in January–June 2026 is characterized by a marked dominance of flat-rolled products over structural steel (64.38% and 27.99%, respectively), however, in January–June 2025, the dominance of flat-rolled products over long products was significantly greater (77.30% and 20.96%, respectively).

“In January–June 2026, the domestic market capacity was 2,009.3 thousand metric tons of rolled steel, of which 880.3 thousand metric tons, or 43.81%, consisted of imports. In January–June 2025, the domestic market capacity was 1,938.7 thousand metric tons, of which 716.7 thousand metric tons, or 36.97%, were imported. “Thus, in January–June 2026, the domestic market capacity increased by 3.64% compared to January–June 2025, with a simultaneous 6.84% rise in the share of imports,” the press release states.

According to the State Customs Service, the main export markets for Ukrainian rolled metal in January–June 2026 were EU countries (80.0%), other European countries (10.6%), and the CIS (7.0%).
Among importers of rolled metal products in the first half of 2026, other European countries ranked first (48.5%), followed by Asian countries (25.8%), and EU-27 countries (16.4%).

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 shrank by 6.26% compared to the previous year—to 3,288.4 thousand metric tons, while in 2023 it increased 2.19 times compared to 2022—to 3,505.6 thousand metric tons.

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Ukraine Reduced Rolled Steel Production by 4.3% in Jan–Jun

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.

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“Zaporizhstal” Reduced Rolled Steel Shipments by 6.3% in First Half of Year

The Zaporizhzhia Metallurgical Plant “Zaporizhstal” reduced its rolled steel shipments by 6.3% in January–June of this year compared to the same period last year—to 1,272,200 metric tons from 1,317,500 metric tons.

According to the company’s press release, steel production for the first six months of the year totaled 1,442.9 thousand metric tons (compared to 1,564.1 thousand metric tons in January–June 2025), while pig iron production totaled 1,556.2 thousand metric tons (compared to 1,719.4 thousand metric tons).
In June, Zaporizhstal produced 301.2 thousand metric tons of pig iron and 284.9 thousand metric tons of steel, and shipped 243.7 thousand metric tons of rolled steel, whereas in the previous month it produced 242.1 thousand metric tons of pig iron, 243.4 thousand metric tons of steel, and shipped 208.9 thousand metric tons of rolled steel.

As reported, in 2025, Zaporizhstal increased its rolled steel output by 15.2% compared to the previous year—to 2,794.6 thousand metric tons from 2,426.7 thousand metric tons. Steel production amounted to 3,212,200 metric tons (compared to 2,890,800 metric tons in 2024), and pig iron production to 3,567,800 metric tons (compared to 3,106,300 metric tons).
In 2024, Zaporizhstal increased its rolled steel output by 18.1% compared to 2023—to 2,426,700 metric tons from 2,054,700 metric tons—and its steel output by 17.2%, to 2,890.8 thousand metric tons, and pig iron by 14.2%, to 3,106.3 thousand metric tons.

“Zaporizhstal” is one of Ukraine’s largest industrial enterprises, whose products are in high demand among consumers both in the domestic market and in many countries around the world.
Zaporizhstal is a joint venture of the Metinvest Group, whose main shareholders are PJSC System Capital Management (71.24%) and Smart Steel Limited (23.76%). Metinvest Holding LLC is the management company of the Metinvest Group.

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Ukraine reduced rolled steel production by 6.7% in January–May

Ukrainian steelmakers reduced total rolled steel production by 6.7% in January–May of this year compared to the same period last year, down to 2.340 million tons.

According to data from the Ukrmetallurgprom association, 537,800 tons of rolled steel were produced in May, 460,800 tons in April, 544,500 tons in March, in February—390,300 tons, and in January—406,400 tons.

As reported, Ukraine’s steel companies increased total rolled steel production by 4.8% in 2025 compared to 2024—to 6.521 million tons.

In 2024, Ukraine increased its production of general rolled steel by 15.8% compared to 2023—to 6.222 million tons from 5.372 million tons. In 2023, total rolled steel production rose by 0.4% to 5.372 million tons, while in 2022 it fell by 72% to 5.350 million tons.

In 2021, before the war, 19.079 million tons of rolled steel were produced, or 103.5% of the 2020 level.

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“Unisteel” reported net profit of 33 mln UAH in first quarter

The Unisteel LLC plant (Unisteel, Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast), which manufactures galvanized cold-rolled flat steel and is part of the Metinvest Group, reported a net profit of UAH 32.997 million in January-March of this year, compared to a net loss of UAH 90.003 million for the same period last year.

According to the company’s interim report, which is available to the agency “Interfax-Ukraine,” revenue from ordinary activities for this period decreased by 14.6% to UAH 771.729 million.

The accumulated loss as of the end of March amounted to UAH 1.020596 billion.

In 2025, the company reported a net loss of UAH 13.251 million, while revenue from ordinary activities for this period decreased by 10.6% compared to 2024—to UAH 3.259437 billion from UAH 3.648463 billion. Sales volume of finished products in 2025 and 2024 amounted to 108,165 thousand tons and 113,321 thousand tons, respectively.

The number of employees as of the end of 2025 was 99, and as of the end of 2024, it was 144. In 2025, the payroll fund amounted to UAH 38,445,496 thousand.

The LLC ended 2024 with a loss of 363.768 million UAH, while in 2023 this figure was 255.057 million UAH.

The main products manufactured by the plant are galvanized flat-rolled products with a thickness ranging from 0.40 mm to 2.50 mm, a width ranging from 600 to 1,250 mm, and a coating weight (Zn) of 60–275 g/m². The company’s products are supplied to both the Ukrainian and European markets. Poland and Romania are the main export markets for the company’s products.

The Unistil plant for the production of cold-rolled galvanized flat steel with a capacity of over 100,000 tons per year was built between 2007 and 2010. It is equipped with machinery from Dongbu Machinery Co., Ltd. (South Korea).

The authorized capital of Unistil LLC is UAH 6.01 million.

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 countries. 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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Zaporizhstal reduced rolled steel shipments by 6.3% in January–May

The Zaporizhzhia Metallurgical Plant “Zaporizhstal” reduced rolled steel shipments by 6.3% in January-May of this year compared to the same period last year—to 1.0285 million tons from 1.0973 million tons.

According to the company’s press release on Monday, steel production for the first five months of the year amounted to 1,158,100 tons (1,296,800 tons in January–May 2025), and pig iron production to 1,255,000 tons (1,426,900 tons) .

In May, Zaporizhstal produced 242,100 tons of pig iron and 243,400 tons of steel, and shipped 208,900 tons of rolled steel, whereas the previous month it produced 193,500 tons of pig iron, 156,600 tons of steel, and shipped 159,100 tons of rolled steel.

Other reports indicate that the company has a “Bring a Friend” program, which not only helps acquaintances find stable employment but also strengthens the team with reliable people and provides additional monetary rewards. Since the beginning of the year, 323 new employees have joined the plant’s workforce thanks to employee referrals. A total of 265 Zaporizhstal employees have participated in the program. The total budget for payments since the start of the year has already exceeded 4.7 million UAH.

As reported, in 2025, Zaporizhstal increased its rolled steel output by 15.2% compared to the previous year—to 2,794,600 tons from 2,426,700 tons. Steel production amounted to 3,212,200 tons (in 2024 – 2,890,800 tons), and pig iron production – 3,567,800 tons (3,106,300 tons).

In 2024, Zaporizhstal increased rolled steel output by 18.1% compared to 2023—to 2,426,700 tons from 2,054,700 tons—and steel output by 17.2%, to 2,890,800 tons, and pig iron by 14.2%, to 3,106,300 tons.

Zaporizhstal is one of Ukraine’s largest industrial enterprises, whose products are in high demand among consumers both in the domestic market and in many countries around the world.

Zaporizhstal is a joint venture of the Metinvest Group, whose main shareholders are PJSC System Capital Management (71.24%) and Smart Steel Limited (23.76%). Metinvest Holding LLC is the management company of the Metinvest Group.

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