Ukraine imported 171.9 thousand tons of long products in 2024

In 2024, Ukraine’s long products market showed a moderate increase in imports, up 12.1% compared to 2023, to 171.9 thousand tons. This is based on GMK Center’s calculations based on data from the State Customs Service.

In 2023, the volume of supplies amounted to 153.3 thousand tons, in 2022 – 131.15 thousand tons, and in 2021 – 400.7 thousand tons. The gradual increase in supply volumes indicates the economic recovery after the crisis years and the intensification of infrastructure projects.

The main volumes of supplies in 2024 are angles, shaped and special profiles (HS 7216) – 76.69 thousand tons, which is 47.9% more than in the previous year. Turkey supplied 57.88 thousand tons of these products to the Ukrainian market (+25.8% y/y), Poland – 11.98 thousand tons (+9%), and Germany – 2.38 thousand tons (+80.1%).

Also, 43.84 thousand tons of other rods and bars of carbon steel, without further processing, twisted (HS 7214) were imported, which is 29.7% less than in 2023. Turkey imported 35.99 thousand tons of such products (-20.7% y/y), Bulgaria – 13.56 thousand tons (-70.1% y/y), and China – 0.89 thousand tons (+538.1%).

Other bars and rods of other alloyed steels (HS 7228) accounted for a small share of supplies – 14.7 thousand tons (+1.8% y/y). Turkey supplied 5.53 thousand tons (+57.5% y/y), Germany – 2.67 thousand tons (-54.8%), Poland – 2.79 thousand tons (+126.3%).

Thus, Turkey is the main supplier of long products to the Ukrainian market. Last year, Turkish supplies of the relevant products to the Ukrainian market are estimated at 108.87 thousand tons, which is more than 63% of total imports. In 2023, the trend was similar – 98.03 thousand tons, which corresponds to 63.9% of long products imports to Ukraine.

In December 2024, 8.3 thousand tons of long products were supplied to the Ukrainian market, down 1.2% compared to December 2023 and 64.1% compared to the previous month. This is the lowest figure since the beginning of the year. During the month, there was a significant drop in consumption of key imported items, including:

• angles, shaped and special profiles (HS 7216) – 2.53 thousand tons (-39.1% y/y; -73.7% m/m);
• other rods and bars of carbon steel, untreated, twisted (HS 7214) – 2.65 thousand tons (+50.5% y/y; -74.6% m/m);
• other rods and bars of other alloyed steels (HS 7228) – 1.42 thousand tons (+138.7% y/y, +14.8% m/m).

The sharp decline in imports in December was likely due to the seasonal decline in construction activity.

In 2024, the cost of importing long products increased by 7% compared to 2023, to $173.5 million. In December, the figure was up 10.8% y/y and down 49.4% m/m.

As GMK Center reported earlier, in 2023, Ukraine increased imports of long products by 28% compared to 2022, to 167.13 thousand tons. Import costs increased by 17.4% y/y – to $174.61 million over the year. Most of all, the company imported angles, shapes and special profiles made of unalloyed steel (HS 7216) – 65.67 thousand tons for $56.84 million.