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.
CONSUMPTION, EXPORTS, IMPORTS, ROLLED STEEL, UKRMETALLURGPROM
Ukrainian steelmakers reduced pig iron production by 0.2% in January–June of this year compared to the same period last year, down to 3.661 million metric tons.
According to information released by the “Ukrmetallurgprom” association on Wednesday, 670.6 thousand metric tons of pig iron were produced in June, 634.4 thousand metric tons in May, 554 thousand metric tons in April, 690.2 thousand metric tons in March, in February—561.9 thousand metric tons, and in January—549.9 thousand metric tons.
As previously reported, Ukraine’s metallurgical enterprises increased pig iron production by 11.2% in 2025—to 7.884 million metric tons.
In 2024, Ukraine increased pig iron production by 18.1% compared to 2023—to 7.090 million metric tons. In 2023, pig iron production fell by 6.1% to 6.003 million metric tons, and in 2022, it fell by 69.8% to 6.391 million metric tons.
In 2021, before the war, 21.165 million metric tons of pig iron were produced, or 103.6% of the 2020 level.
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
Ukrainian steelmakers reduced pig iron production by 0.6% in January–May of this year compared to the same period last year, down to 2.990 million tons.
According to data from the Ukrmetallurgprom association, 634,400 tons of pig iron were produced in May, 554,000 tons in April, 690,200 tons in March, in February—561,900 tons, and in January—549,900 tons.
As reported, Ukraine’s metallurgical enterprises increased pig iron production by 11.2% in 2025—to 7.884 million tons.
In 2024, Ukraine increased pig iron production by 18.1% compared to 2023—to 7.090 million tons. In 2023, pig iron production decreased by 6.1% to 6.003 million tons, and in 2022, by 69.8% to 6.391 million tons.
In 2021, before the war, 21.165 million tons of pig iron were produced, or 103.6% of the 2020 level.
The Experts Club Information and Analytical Center recently presented a video analysis of the top 20 steel-producing countries – https://youtube.com/shorts/j7Yev2HCS4o?si=lfmGJ5jrx8036z1U
EXPERTS CLUB, METALLURGY, PIG IRON, PRODUCTION, UKRMETALLURGPROM
