Ukraine increased coke imports by 64.2% y/y in January-April

In January-April 2025, Ukrainian steelmakers increased imports of coke and semi-coke (HS 2704) by 64.2% compared to the same period in 2024, up to 256.63 thousand tons. This is based on GMK Center’s calculations based on the State Customs Service data.

In April, imported coke supplies amounted to 44.26 thousand tons, down 21.6% month-on-month and 0.9% compared to April 2024. In March – 56.44 thousand tons (-11% m/m; +97.7% y/y), February – 63.43 thousand tons (-31.4% m/m; +57.9% y/y), January – 92.5 thousand tons (+138.4% m/m; +115.7% y/y). Thus, since the beginning of the year, there has been a slowdown in the supply of raw materials, while the average monthly figure is still higher than in 2024 – 64.16 thousand tons against 55.12 thousand tons.

Polish products accounted for the bulk of supplies over the four months – 225.86 thousand tons. Another 27.7 thousand tons of coke were imported from Indonesia and 3.1 thousand tons from the Czech Republic. In April, supplies from Poland fell by 20.1% m/m, while Indonesia and the Czech Republic did not supply coke to the Ukrainian market.

The cost of importing raw materials in January-April increased by 47.8% y/y – to $82.92 million, while in April it decreased by 18.6% m/m and increased by 11.3% y/y – to $14.89 million.

In 2013-2024, coking coal production in Ukraine decreased by 74% and coke production by almost 85%. Currently, most of the mines and coke plants remain in the non-government controlled areas – 64% of the total.

GMK Center estimates that Ukraine needs 3.2 million tons of coke per year to maintain current production levels, namely up to 6.5 million tons of BOF and open-hearth steel and 1.3 million tons of commercial pig iron, of which up to 20% will be imported in 2024. In 2025, imports are likely to increase due to the shutdown of Pokrovske Coal Group.

In early April, the first coking coal ship from the United States in 2025, chartered by Metinvest Group, arrived in Ukraine. The bulk carrier delivered 80,000 tons of raw materials from United Coal Company, a member of the group. Metinvest plans to make similar import deliveries on a monthly basis.

In 2024, Ukraine imported 661.49 thousand tons of coke and semi-coke, which is twice as much as in 2023. A significant increase in supplies occurred in the second half of the year. Import costs for the year increased by 81.9% y/y – to $235.47 million.