Ukraine increased imports of long steel products by 2.6 times y/y in January–February

In January–February 2026, the long steel market in Ukraine saw a significant increase in imports—a 2.6-fold rise compared to the same period in 2026, reaching 65,210 metric tons. This is according to calculations by the GMK Center based on data from the State Customs Service.

The bulk of shipments consisted of hot-rolled carbon steel bars and billets in coils (HS Code 7213)—20.44 thousand tons, which is 4.3 times more year-over-year. China supplied nearly the entire volume of this product to the Ukrainian market—20,330 metric tons.

Additionally, 19,560 metric tons of angles, shapes, and special profiles made of non-alloy steel (HS Code 7216) were imported, an 11.6-fold increase year-over-year. Turkey supplied 14,720 metric tons of these products, China supplied 2,220 metric tons, and Poland supplied 1,330 metric tons.

A significant share of imports also consists of other carbon steel bars and rods, not further processed, twisted (HS Code 7214) – 19,250 tons (+51.8% year-on-year). Turkey supplied 18,220 metric tons of products to the Ukrainian market, China – 530 metric tons, and Poland – 240 metric tons.

In February 2026, 24.49 thousand tons of long steel products were shipped to the Ukrainian market, which is 33.4% more compared to February 2025 and 39.8% less than the previous month.

Consumption of the main import items during the month was as follows:

• angles, shapes, and special profiles of non-alloy steel (HS 7216) – 10.84 thousand tons (+13.3% y/y; +24.3% m/m);
• other carbon steel bars and rods, unworked, twisted (HS 7214) – 10.4 thousand tons (+1,416% y/y; +17.6% m/m);
• other bars and rods, angles, shapes, and special sections of corrosion-resistant steel (HS 7222) – 1.18 thousand tons (+99.8% y/y; +49.7% m/m).

Expenditures on long product imports over two months rose by 88.6% year-on-year, to $59.83 million. In February, the figure increased by 7.9% year-on-year and decreased by 18.8% month-on-month, to $26.8 million.

It should be noted that the growth in long product imports to Ukraine is occurring simultaneously with a sharp drop in exports of these same products by Ukrainian manufacturers — by 64.4% year-on-year in January–February. This may indicate a weakening of domestic companies’ positions in both foreign and, to some extent, domestic markets. In other words, imports are currently compensating not for a supply shortage, but for the lower competitiveness of Ukrainian producers in certain segments. Under these conditions, the issue of protecting the domestic market is becoming increasingly urgent in order to maintain stable capacity utilization and support the operations of domestic steelmakers.

As reported by GMK Center, in 2024, Ukraine increased imports of long products by 58.6% compared to 2024, to 272,610 metric tons. The bulk of imports consisted of angles, shapes, and special sections (HS Code 7216) — 108,750 tons, a 41.8% year-over-year increase. Turkey and China were the main suppliers of long steel products to the Ukrainian market.