Scrap exports from Ukraine reached a four-year high in 2025

In 2025, Ukrainian scrap metal exporters increased exports of strategic raw materials by 53% compared to 2024, to 448.68 thousand tons. This figure is a four-year peak, i.e., the maximum since 2021. This is evidenced by GMK Center calculations based on data from the State Customs Service.

Poland remains the main export destination. Over 12 months, 343.6 thousand tons of raw materials were sent to the Polish market, which is 76.6% of the total export volume and 38.2% more than in 2024. Another 48.44 thousand tons of scrap were sent to Greece (+41.7% y/y), 16.63 thousand tons to Bulgaria (+419% y/y), and 5.29 thousand tons to Germany (-18.9% y/y).

As previously noted by Ukrmetprom, raw material supplies to EU countries have in fact become a scheme whereby scrap exporters avoid paying export duties of €180/ton to the Ukrainian state, as Ukrainian raw materials are re-exported through EU countries to Turkey and India.

At the end of 2025, the Ukrainian government decided to restrict scrap metal exports temporarily until the end of 2026. According to Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, scrap metal is a critically important raw material for the Ukrainian steel and foundry industries.

«Despite the export duty, scrap exports continued to grow, often transiting to third countries without creating added value for Ukraine. Domestic processing, on the other hand, provides jobs, tax revenues, and products necessary for defense and reconstruction. The use of scrap in steel production also reduces CO2 emissions, which is important in view of EU requirements,» she commented.

«During the war, it is important that strategic resources work for the country and are not exported abroad. Licensing and quotas allow scrap metal to be directed to the needs of Ukrainian production, defense, and reconstruction. This means jobs, taxes, and finished products in Ukraine. This approach helps to maintain economic stability during a difficult period,» said Vitaliy Kindrativ, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine.

In December, Ukrainian scrap metal companies exported 68.52 thousand tons of raw materials, which is 117% more year-on-year and 96% more month-on-month. This is the highest figure since 2021.

Revenue from scrap exports in December increased by 96.8% compared to the previous month and by 106.9% year-on-year, to $19.14 million. In 2025, the figure increased by 44.5% year-on-year, to $131.93 million.

In Q4, scrap exports increased by 50.8% y/y and 26.3% q/q to 136.84 thousand tons, while export revenue increased by 44.2% y/y and 22.8% q/q to $38.36 million.

It should be noted that in 2024, scrap exports from Ukraine increased by 60% compared to 2023, reaching 293.2 thousand tons. In 2023, shipments of raw materials abroad exceeded 182.5 thousand tons, which is 3.4 times more y/y, while in 2022 the figure was 54.1 thousand tons. The main consumers of raw materials last year were Poland (248,600 tons), Greece (34,200 tons), and Germany (6,500 tons).