Business news from Ukraine

Business news from Ukraine

“Zaporizhstal” Reduced Rolled Steel Output by 19.1% Over Eight Months

The Zaporizhzhia Metallurgical Plant “Zaporizhstal” reduced its rolled steel output by 19.1% in January–August of this year compared to the same period last year—to 1,488,700 metric tons from 1,839,300 metric tons.

According to the company’s press release, steel production for the first eight months of the year totaled 1,681,700 metric tons (compared to 2,105,500 metric tons in January–August 2025), while pig iron production totaled 1.816 million metric tons (compared to 2,339,200 metric tons).

In August, Zaporizhstal produced 42,400 metric tons of pig iron and 46,200 metric tons of steel, and shipped 45,000 metric tons of rolled steel, whereas in the previous month it produced 301,200 metric tons of pig iron, 284,900 metric tons of steel, and shipped 243,700 metric tons of rolled steel.

“The significant decline in production was the result of a hostile attack on August 11, 2026, which damaged the power facilities and infrastructure of Metinvest’s Zaporizhzhia enterprises, including the main and auxiliary blast furnace production facilities of the plant. This led to a complete shutdown of Zaporizhstal.” The

Russian army attacked the shut-down Zaporizhstal again on August 27, 2026, targeting equipment in the blast furnace shop, power and transportation infrastructure, and open areas. “This is yet another indication that Russian troops are systematically striking civilian industrial infrastructure and the people who work there,” the press release states.

As previously reported, in 2025, Zaporizhstal increased its rolled steel output by 15.2% compared to the previous year—to 2,794,600 metric tons from 2,426,700 metric tons. Steel production totaled 3,212,200 metric tons (compared to 2,890,800 metric tons in 2024), and pig iron production totaled 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 2,890,800 metric tons, and pig iron by 14.2%, to 3,106,300 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 major 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 Steel Production by 12.5% in January–August

Ukrainian steelmakers reduced steel production by 12.5% in January–August of this year compared to the same period last year, down to 4.3 million metric tons.

According to data from the “Ukrmetallurgprom” association, 277,000 metric tons of steel were produced in August, 457,000 metric tons in July, 690,800 metric tons in June, 629,400 metric tons in May, in April—517,300 metric tons, in March—702,300 metric tons, in February—515,000 metric tons, and in January—511,100 metric tons.

In 2025, Ukraine’s steel companies reduced steel production by 2.2% compared to 2024—to 7.409 million metric tons.

In 2024, Ukraine increased steel production by 21.6% compared to 2023—to 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.

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In July, Ukraine reduced its steel production by 21% and fell to 26th place in world

In July 2026, Ukraine’s steel mills produced 457,000 metric tons of steel, which is 21.3% less than in July of last year and 33.9% less than in June, when 691,000 metric tons were produced.

At the end of the month, Ukraine ranked 26th among 70 countries whose data is tracked by the World Steel Association (Worldsteel).

Overall, global steel production in July declined much less—by 0.3% year-over-year, to 149.2 million metric tons. Thus, the rate of decline in production in Ukraine significantly exceeded the global average. Worldsteel’s official data was published on August 24, 2026.

From January through July, Ukrainian steelmakers produced 4.023 million metric tons of steel, which is 5.6% less than during the same period in 2025. Based on the results of the first seven months, Ukraine ranks 24th in the global rankings.

The decline in July was particularly sharp compared to the previous month. While Ukrainian enterprises produced about 691,000 metric tons of steel in June, output fell by nearly 234,000 metric tons in July.

This also led to a decline in the country’s position in the global ranking: after seven months, Ukraine ranks 24th, while in July alone it dropped to 26th place.

By comparison, most of the largest producers increased their output in July. India increased production by 1.9%, the U.S. by 4.4%, South Korea by 6.4%, Turkey by 7%, Germany by 3%, and Vietnam by as much as 34.7%. China, on the other hand, reduced production by 3.6%. According to official data from Worldsteel, Russia increased its July production by 3.3%, to an estimated 5.7 million metric tons.

In the first seven months of 2026, global steel production totaled 1.081 billion metric tons, down 0.6% year-over-year. Ukraine, with a 5.6% decline, is also showing significantly weaker performance than the global market as a whole.

In 2025, Ukraine produced approximately 7.4 million metric tons of steel. According to World Steel’s latest annual table, the country ranked 23rd globally, down from 22nd in 2024.

The World Steel Association brings together leading steel producers, national and regional industry associations, and research organizations. The association’s members account for about 85% of global steel production.

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Exports of ferrous metals from Ukraine fell by nearly third in July compared with June

Ukraine’s foreign exchange earnings from ferrous metal exports in July 2026 totaled $199.9 million, which is nearly 32% less than in June, when exports brought in $293.6 million, according to data from the State Customs Service.

Thus, July was noticeably weaker than the previous month for Ukrainian steel exports.

Overall, from January through July, companies in the sector earned $1.678 billion from ferrous metal exports, which is 7.6% less than during the same period last year.

At the same time, imports of ferrous metals in July totaled $176.4 million. The difference between exports and imports thus narrowed to approximately $23.5 million for the month.

Over the seven-month period, metal imports rose by 7.2% to $1.023 billion.

The decline in July’s export revenue comes after two years of recovery in metallurgical exports. In 2024, their value rose by 16.9%, and in 2025, by another 7.85%.

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Ukraine saw 7.6% decline in foreign exchange earnings from ferrous metal exports

Ukrainian steelmakers reduced foreign exchange earnings from ferrous metal exports by 7.6% in January–July 2026 compared to the same period last year, down to $1.678 billion, according to data from the State Customs Service.

In January–July 2025, ferrous metal exports brought Ukraine $1.816 billion.
The share of ferrous metals in the country’s total merchandise exports also declined—to 6.95% from 7.79% a year earlier, or by 0.84 percentage points.

At the same time, imports of ferrous metals into Ukraine continued to grow. Over the seven-month period, they increased by 7.2%—to $1.023 billion.
Thus, in 2026, the Ukrainian metallurgical industry faced both a decline in export revenue and increased competition from imported products.

By comparison: at the end of 2025, Ukraine, on the contrary, increased its export revenue from ferrous metals by 7.85%—to $3.339 billion—following a 16.9% increase in 2024.

Source: State Customs Service of Ukraine, data for January–July 2026.

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“ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih” Increased Its Half-Year Loss by 57.4%

The Kryvyi Rih Mining and Metallurgical Plant, PJSC “ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih” (AMKR, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast), ended the January–June period of this year with a net loss of 6 billion 641.858 million UAH, an increase of 57.4% compared to the first half of last year, when it stood at 4 billion 219.136 million UAH.

According to the company’s interim report, a copy of which is available to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency, AMKR’s revenue from ordinary operations for this period amounted to 32,839,717 million UAH, compared to 33,818,076 million UAH in January–June 2025.

The accumulated loss as of the end of June 2026 amounted to 39,482.201 million UAH.

AMKR’s production volumes for the reporting period were as follows: pig iron—311,234 thousand metric tons; rolled steel—381,185 thousand metric tons; and iron ore concentrate—633,045 thousand metric tons. Exports accounted for 66% of total sales. During the reporting period, AMKR sold steel products on the domestic market, in European markets, and to other countries, such as Egypt, Moldova, and Turkey. The products were exported by rail and through Black Sea ports.

As previously reported, ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih ended the January–March 2026 period with a net loss of 4 billion 599.057 million UAH, an increase of 54.8% compared to the same period in 2025, when the loss amounted to 2 billion 970.387 million UAH. Revenue from ordinary operations during this period amounted to 13,244.044 million UAH, compared to 15,063.014 million UAH in January–March 2025.

AMKR ended 2025 with a net loss of 8 billion 896.797 million UAH, while in 2024 it amounted to 8 billion 848.963 million UAH. Revenue from ordinary activities for 2025 reached 70 billion 634.443 million UAH, compared to 64 billion 591.407 million UAH in 2024.

At the same time, AMKR ended 2025 with a consolidated net loss of 8 billion 887.789 million UAH, compared to 8 billion 841.794 million UAH in 2024. At the same time, consolidated income from ordinary activities amounted to 70,627,356 million UAH in 2025, compared to 64,599,685 million UAH in 2024. The consolidated uncovered loss at the end of last year stood at 32,927,580 million UAH.

In 2024, the plant reduced its consolidated net loss by 25.5% compared to 2023—to 8 billion 841.812 million UAH from 11 billion 875.984 million UAH. At the same time, net revenue decreased by 54.3%—to 64,599,685,000 UAH from 41,873,521,000 UAH.
“ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih” is the largest producer of rolled steel in Ukraine. It specializes in the production of long products, in particular rebar and wire rod.

ArcelorMittal owns Ukraine’s largest mining and metallurgical complex, “ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih,” and a number of smaller companies, including PJSC “ArcelorMittal Beryslav.”
According to the company, ArcelorMittal Duisburg GmbH (Germany) owns 95.128% of its shares.

The steel complex’s authorized capital is 3 billion 859.533 million UAH.

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