Imports of painted rolled steel fell by 17.5% y/y in 1H2025 – Metipol

Imports of pre-painted galvanized rolled steel (PPGI) to Ukraine in January-June 2025 decreased by 17.5% compared to the same period in 2024, to 89.5 thousand tons. This is the lowest level in the last three years, according to a study by Metipol.

During the second quarter, import volumes decreased by 17% year-on-year but increased by 51% quarter-on-quarter to 53.99 thousand tons.

High-end supplies (EU) account for the largest share of imports – 53.7% or 48.11 thousand tons at the end of the first half of the year (-4.2% y/y). The middle segment (Turkey, South Korea, Vietnam, and Malaysia) accounts for 44.9% of total supplies, or 40.2 thousand tons (-28% y-o-y), while the lower segment (China) accounted for 1.3% or 1.19 thousand tons (-52% y-o-y).

PPGI prices in January-June 2025 showed mixed trends. In particular, DAP Arcelor products have risen in price by 13.4% since the beginning of the year, from $1.27 thousand/t to $1.44 thousand/t. DAP US Steel rose in price by 18.4% over the period, to $1.35 thousand/t. At the same time, DAP Vietnam lost 14.3% ($985/t), DAP Turkey – 1.4% ($1,020/t), DAP India – 5.1% ($1,020/t), and DAP China – 2.2% ($865/t).

Thus, prices for products in Turkey and Asian countries remain relatively stable, with a slight decline. The cost of European imports has increased significantly, mainly due to the euro/dollar exchange rate, rather than the pricing policy of manufacturers, which causes a sharp increase in the price difference between the high (European) and medium segments.

In the first half of 2025, 554.05 thousand tons of imported flat rolled steel products were delivered to the Ukrainian market, which is 16.8% more than in the same period of 2024. About 50% of imports are coated flat products (HS – 7210) – 263.26 thousand tons, which is 17.2% more than last year.