Consumption of steel products in Ukraine rose by 3.4% y/y in Q1

According to data from the Ukrmetallurgprom State Enterprise, Ukraine’s consumption of steel products (rolled steel and semi-finished products) increased by 3.4% year-on-year in the January–March 2026 period, reaching 892,400 metric tons.

During this period, the country imported 371,400 tons of steel products, which is 10.5% more year-on-year. Imports accounted for 41.61% of the domestic market.

The import structure in the first quarter was characterized by a noticeable dominance of flat products over long products (62.95% and 26.04%, respectively), although in the same period last year this ratio was significantly higher (79.8% and 18.03%, respectively).

In total, Ukrainian enterprises produced 1.34 million tons of rolled steel in January–March (-6.6% y/y). Exports totaled 820,000 tons (-9.7% y/y).

521,000 tons of rolled products and semi-finished products were directed to the domestic market, which is 1.1% less year-on-year. In January–February, Ukrainian steelmakers slightly reduced shipments of products to the domestic market. Exports accounted for 61.1% of total production for the period; a year ago, the figure stood at 63.3%.

According to the State Customs Service, the main export markets for Ukrainian rolled steel in January–March were EU countries (77.9%), other European countries (12.5%), and the CIS (6.1%). Among importers, other European countries ranked first (49.7%), Asian countries second (22%), and the EU-27 third (18.2%).

As a reminder, in 2025, Ukraine increased its consumption of steel products by 21.7% compared to 2024—to 4 million tons. About 40.1%, or 1.6 million tons, came from imports.