China rapidly increases its share of the Ukrainian long steel market

Last year, Chinese products accounted for only 4.7% of the market, while by the end of 2025, this figure had risen to 22.5%.

Supplies of rolled steel from China to the Ukrainian market in January-November 2025 increased by 72.8% compared to the same period in 2024, reaching 175.39 thousand tons. Thus, the share of Chinese products in Ukrainian imports amounted to 14% compared to 9.4% a year earlier. This is evidenced by GMK Center calculations based on data from the State Customs Service.

Imports of flat rolled products of Chinese origin increased by 30.2% y/y over 11 months, to 121.1 thousand tons, and long products increased by 540.6% y/y, to 54.29 thousand tons. These products accounted for 11.9% and 22.5% of total imports, respectively (10.4% and 4.7% a year earlier).

The largest volumes of supplies were hot-rolled flat products – 39.67 thousand tons (+102.8% y-o-y), and twisted rods and bars in coils – 36.79 thousand tons (0.1 thousand tons a year earlier). In addition, 24.89 thousand tons of coated flat products (+0.1% y-o-y) and 24.78 thousand tons of cold-rolled flat products (+47.6% y-o-y) were imported. Thus, it was the expansion of wire rod supplies to Ukrainian consumers that contributed to a significant increase in the share of the long products market.

In November, supplies of rolled steel from China to Ukraine increased by 237% y/y – to 17.97 thousand tons, in particular, flat rolled products – by 294% y/y to 16.81 thousand tons, while long products increased by 9.1% y/y – to 1.15 thousand tons.

As noted by Olexander Kalenkov, president of the Ukrmetprom business association, the sharp increase in imports, particularly from Turkey and China, already poses a direct threat to Ukrainian producers. The increase in the long-length rolled products segment – reinforcement bars and wire rod, which Ukrainian companies are capable of producing themselves – is particularly critical.

According to Kalenkov, the situation requires urgent intervention by the state, as imported products often enjoy price advantages due to the use of cheap energy and steel billets from Russia. Such competition is unfair and puts Ukrainian factories at a disadvantage.

Ukrmetprom emphasizes that if appropriate protective measures are not taken, Ukrainian producers may permanently lose the domestic market, which should be a “safety cushion” for the industry during the war and post-war recovery.

As a reminder, in January-November 2025, imports of flat rolled products to Ukraine increased by 12.7% y/y – to 928.2 thousand tons. Deliveries of long rolled products increased by 69.5% y/y – to 238.02 thousand tons.