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).
In January–May 2026, Ukraine increased its imports of aluminum and aluminum products by 20% compared to the same period last year, reaching $247.912 million.
In May, imports of aluminum and aluminum products amounted to $58.220 million.
At the same time, exports of aluminum and aluminum products in January–May of this year rose by 25.3% compared to the same period last year—to $72.393 million. In May, $18.641 million worth of aluminum was exported.
As reported, Ukraine increased imports of aluminum and aluminum products by 15.3% in 2025 compared to 2024, reaching $514.098 million. Exports of aluminum and aluminum products in 2025 rose by 22.9% to $152.919 million.
Aluminum is widely used as a structural material. The main advantages of aluminum are its lightness, formability, corrosion resistance, high thermal conductivity, and the non-toxicity of its compounds. In particular, these properties have made aluminum extremely popular in the production of cookware, aluminum foil in the food industry, and for packaging. The first three properties have made aluminum the primary raw material in the aviation and aerospace industries (though it has recently been replaced by composite materials, primarily carbon fiber). After construction and packaging production—aluminum cans and foil—the largest consumer of the metal is the energy sector.
For a more detailed overview of global aluminum production from 1970 to 2024, watch the video on the Experts Club YouTube channel.
In January–May 2026, Ukraine increased imports of nickel and nickel products by 15% compared to the same period last year, reaching $9.171 million.
In May, imports of nickel and nickel products totaled $2.294 million.
At the same time, exports of nickel and nickel products for January–May of this year amounted to $192,000, compared to $443,000 for the first five months of 2025. In May, nickel exports totaled $8,000.
As reported, Ukraine reduced imports of nickel and nickel products by 2.7% in 2025 compared to 2024, down to $26.011 million. Exports of nickel and nickel products totaled $1.420 million, compared to $602,000 in 2024.
Nickel is used in the production of stainless steel and for nickel plating. Nickel is also used in battery production, powder metallurgy, and chemical reagents.
In January–May of this year, Ukrainian companies increased imports of copper and copper products by 9.4% in monetary terms compared to the same period last year, reaching $85.297 million.
According to customs statistics released by the State Customs Service of Ukraine on Friday, exports of copper and copper products during the period increased by 1.3% to $39.247 million. In May, copper imports totaled $20.421 million, while exports amounted to $9.237 million.
As reported, in 2025, Ukrainian companies increased imports of copper and copper products by 23.2% in monetary terms compared to the previous year, reaching $173.453 million, while exports of copper and copper products rose by 17.7% to $103.848 million.
Copper is widely used in electrical engineering, in the production of pipes, for creating alloys, in medicine, and in other industries.
Earlier, the Experts Club information and analytical center released a video dedicated to global copper production and leading producing countries – https://youtube.com/shorts/_h8iU50z8C0?si=a-XkgGEfeUxseQNa
