Ukraine increased coke imports by 90.3% y/y in Q1

In January-March 2025, Ukrainian steelmakers increased imports of coke and semi-coke (HS 2704) by 90.3% compared to the same period in 2024, up to 212.37 thousand tons. Imports increased by 44.6% quarter-on-quarter. This is according to GMK Center’s calculations based on the State Customs Service data.

In March, imported coke supplies amounted to 56.44 thousand tons, down 11% month-on-month and 97.7% more than in March 2024. In February – 63.43 thousand tons (-31.4% m/m; +57.9% y/y), in January – 92.5 thousand tons (+138.4% m/m; +115.7% y/y).

Polish products accounted for the bulk of supplies over the three months – 181.61 thsd tonnes. Another 27.7 thousand tons of coke were imported from Indonesia and 3.1 thousand tons from the Czech Republic. In March, supplies from Poland fell by 11.2% m/m, and from the Czech Republic by 1.7% m/m, while Indonesia has not supplied coke to the Ukrainian market since January.

The cost of importing raw materials in January-March increased by 59.2% y/y – to $68.02 million, while in March it decreased by 7.9% m/m and increased by 64.4% y/y – to $18.29 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 Bison bulk carrier delivered 80,000 tons of raw materials from United Coal Company, a member of the Group located in the Appalachian region of the United States. This supply should stabilize the operations of Zaporizhstal and Kametstal, the Group’s Ukrainian steel mills. Metinvest plans to make similar imports on a monthly basis.

As GMK Center reported earlier, 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.