In January–April of this year, Ukraine’s exports of carbon steel semi-finished products fell by 0.4% in volume terms compared to the same period last year, to 438,370 metric tons.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS), 116,550 thousand tons of semi-finished products were exported in April, 138,203 thousand tons in March, 61,629 thousand tons in February, and 121,988 thousand tons in January.
In monetary terms, exports of carbon steel semi-finished products during this period decreased by 1.3% to $212.512 million.
The main export destinations were Bulgaria (44.73% of shipments in monetary terms), Turkey (15.42%), and Poland (13.55%).
In the first four months of 2026, Ukraine imported 40,501 thousand tons of semi-finished products worth $26.704 million from Oman (81.57%), the Czech Republic (13.17%), and Germany (4.98%), (there were no imports in March), whereas in January–April 2025, it imported 3,303 thousand tons worth $2.687 million.
As reported, in 2025 Ukraine reduced exports of steel semi-finished products by 26.4% in volume terms compared to the previous year—to 1,388,183 thousand tons, while revenue fell by 28.9%—to $659.625 million. The main exports went primarily to Bulgaria (32.73% of shipments in monetary terms), Poland (22.13%), and Turkey (14.88%).
Last year, Ukraine imported 88,923 thousand tons of semi-finished products worth $65.989 million, mainly from Oman (37.42%), Germany (22.21%), and the Czech Republic (16.71%), whereas in 2024, it imported 306 tons of semi-finished steel products worth $278,000.
In January–April of this year, Ukraine increased its exports of processed pig iron by 11.2% in volume terms compared to the same period last year—to 638,303 thousand tons from 574,057 thousand tons.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS), 181,670 thousand tons of pig iron were exported in April, 168,493 thousand tons in March, in February – 194,345 thousand tons, and in January – 93,795 thousand tons.
In January–April, pig iron exports in monetary terms increased by 7.6% – to $243.568 million from $226.282 million.
Exports were primarily directed to the United States (91.92% of shipments in monetary terms), Italy (3.73%), and Turkey (2.65%).
In the first four months of this year, the country did not import any pig iron, whereas in the first four months of last year, it imported 29 tons worth $55,000.
As reported, in 2025 Ukraine increased its pig iron exports by 53.5% in volume terms compared to the previous year—to 1,980,620 tons—and by 51.9% in revenue—to $759.882 million. Exports were mainly directed to the United States (68.25% of shipments in monetary terms), Italy (20.26%), and Turkey (3.63%).
Over the past year, the country imported 39,000 tons worth $78,000 from Germany (51.95%) and Brazil (48.05%), while in January–December 2024, 38 tons of pig iron worth $90,000 were imported.
Starting March 12, 2025, pursuant to a decision by President Donald Trump, a 25% tariff began to be levied on imports of Ukrainian steel products, excluding cast iron.
In January–April of this year, Ukraine reduced its ferroalloy exports by 89.9% in volume terms compared to the same period last year—down to 3,929 thousand tons from 38,963 thousand tons.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS), 2,755 thousand tons of ferroalloys were exported in April, 337 tons in March, 72 tons in February, and 765 tons in January.
In monetary terms, ferroalloy exports for January–April fell by 88.5%—to $4.894 million from $42.657 million. The main export destinations were Poland (56.81% in monetary terms), Romania (13.01%), and Slovakia (12.81%).
In addition, during the first four months of the year, Ukraine imported 9,751 thousand tons of this product—a 32% decrease compared to January–April 2025. In monetary terms, imports fell by 37.2% to $17.469 million. Imports came mainly from Kazakhstan (20.81%), France (16.85%), and Norway (15.34%).
As reported, the Pokrovsky Mining and Processing Plant (PGZK, formerly the Ordzhonikidze Mining and Processing Plant) and the Marganetsky Mining and Processing Plant (MGZK, both in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast), which are part of the Privat Group, ceased the extraction and processing of raw manganese ore in late October–early November 2023, while the NZF and ZZF stopped smelting ferroalloys. In the summer of 2024, the ferroalloy plants resumed production at a minimal level.
Since January 19, 2026, due to problems with electricity supply and high electricity prices, NZF has been idle, while ZZF is operating at a minimal level.
In 2025, ferroalloy plants increased ferroalloy exports by 21.4% in volume terms compared to 2024—to 93,841 thousand tons, while revenue rose by 19%—to $105.441 million. At the same time, the main exports went to Poland (28.69% of shipments in monetary terms), Turkey (21.62%), and Algeria (21.48%).
In 2025, Ukraine imported 38,434 thousand tons of this product—a 53.3% decrease compared to 2024. In monetary terms, imports fell by 47.5% to $73.839 million. Imports came mainly from Norway (16.11%), Kazakhstan (15.89%), and France (12.56%).
Prior to the nationalization of the financial institution, PrivatBank organized the business of ZZF, NZF, Stakhanovskyi ZF (located at NKT), Pokrovskyi, and Marganetskyi GZK. The Nikopol Ferroalloy Plant is controlled by the EastOne Group, established in the fall of 2007 as a result of the restructuring of the Interpipe Group, as well as the Privat Group.
In its May report, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued its first forecast for wheat and corn exports from Ukraine in the 2026/2026 marketing year (MY) – 13 million tons and 23 million tons, respectively, which is 0.5 million tons and 1 million tons more than in the current MY.
According to USDA estimates, Ukraine’s wheat harvest in the next MY will decline to 23 million tons from 24.1 million tons last year, but ending stocks for the year will increase by only 0.9 million tons—to 4.53 million tons—while this year they are expected to rise by 2.9 million tons.
As for the corn harvest, USDA analysts forecast it at 30 million tons this year, compared to 30.9 million tons last year. The increase in exports is also expected to result from a decrease in ending stocks by 0.19 million tons, while this marketing year they are projected to increase by 1.91 million tons.
Taking other crops into account, the U.S. Department of Agriculture expects this year’s forage grain harvest to decrease to 36.08 million tons from 37.22 million tons last year, but an increase in its exports next marketing year to 25.19 million tons from 24.30 million tons this marketing year, also due to carryover stocks accumulated this year.
As reported, the Ministry of Economy forecasts a grain harvest of approximately 60.4 million tons in 2026, which is only 1%, or 0.64 million tons, less than last year. According to preliminary estimates by the Ministry of Economy, the harvest of major crops may amount to: wheat – about 22.4 million tons, barley – about 4.7 million tons, and corn – about 31.6 million tons.
According to the State Statistics Service, the wheat harvest in 2025 increased by 3.6% to 23.34 million tons, corn by 14.6% to 30.9 million tons, while the barley harvest decreased by 2.4% to 5.2 million tons.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture expects this year’s wheat harvest to decrease to 819.06 million tons and its exports to 211.70 million tons, down from 843.84 million tons and 222.68 million tons, respectively, last year.
The USDA’s first forecast for global corn production this year is 1,295.38 million tons, with exports for the 2026/27 marketing year at 206.91 million tons, while last year’s harvest was 1,312.68 million tons, and exports for the 2025-26 marketing year are expected to reach 213.59 million tons.
Ukrainian exports of high-oleic sunflower oil in the 2025/26 season are expected to drop to 207,000 tons, which is 8% lower than the figures for the previous marketing year, according to the information and analytical agency “APK-Inform.”
“The high-oleic sunflower sector has not yet been able to return to pre-war production levels. Even a partial recovery in planted areas is offset by weather anomalies and extremely unstable premiums for farmers. Under such conditions, producers often opt for less risky crops, which automatically limits the export potential of the oil,” analysts explained.
According to their information, the geography of product shipments has undergone a significant transformation this season: the share of the traditional EU market in September–March fell from 72% to 60% (84,300 tons). At the same time, Ukrainian companies are actively expanding their presence in Asia and North America. In particular, exports to Malaysia rose by 82%, to Saudi Arabia by 47%, and Singapore increased its purchases more than 30-fold.
APK-Inform forecasts that reducing dependence on the European market and expanding sales to 50 countries worldwide will be the main driver for Ukraine’s vegetable oil segment in the coming years.
According to the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UAC), Ukraine exported 436,000 tons of poultry meat to foreign markets in 2025, a 2% decrease compared to the previous year.
The business association noted that despite a slight annual decline, current export volumes are 1% higher than the average for the past five years. The key consumers of Ukrainian products remain EU countries (30.6%), the Middle East (27.2%), and European countries outside the EU (22.6%).
According to analysts, total poultry meat production in 2025 amounted to 1,390,000 tons. Meanwhile, the industry is gradually recovering: the poultry population had grown to 192.3 million birds by early 2026 (+3%). The share of poultry in industrial enterprises is 64%, while in private households and small farms it is 36%.
“Growth is driven primarily by industrial enterprises that are investing in modernization and biosecurity, which allows them to maintain efficiency despite high feed costs,” the association explained.
A distinct trend of the year was a sharp decline in imports—to 46,000 tons, which is 73% below the five-year average. The UACB attributes this to increased market self-sufficiency and the expansion of domestic producers’ capacity, who are successfully replacing foreign products.
“The poultry industry is operating under pressure from economic and energy challenges, yet it maintains its production potential. The growing role of medium-sized and regional producers, as well as their investments in modernization, play a key role in supporting the domestic market and increasing exports,” the UCAB concluded.
