Exclusive Ukraine reduced exports of long steel products by 64.4% y/y in January–February

The majority of the products were shipped to EU countries

In January–February 2026, Ukraine’s steelmakers reduced exports of long steel products by 64.4% compared to the same period in 2025, down to 41,100 metric tons. This is according to calculations by the GMK Center based on data from the State Customs Service.

39.8% of the total volume of long product exports consists of other carbon steel bars and rods, not further processed, twisted (HS Code 7214)—16,340 tons (-56.6% y/y). 8.01 thousand tons were shipped to Poland, 6.61 thousand tons to Moldova, and 1.46 thousand tons to Romania.

During this period, Ukrainian producers exported 11.81 thousand tons of unalloyed steel wire (HS 7217), which is 48.3% less year-on-year. The majority of exports was shipped to Poland—2,860 tons. Another 2,560 tons were exported to Germany and 1,680 tons to Moldova.

7.95 thousand tons (-81.6% year-on-year) of exports consisted of hot-rolled bars and rods made of carbon steel, in coils (HS Code 7213). Among the main consumers: Poland – 3,490 tons, Lithuania – 2,350 tons, Romania – 1,150 tons.

«The European Union remains the primary export market, where, since the beginning of this year, imports of steel products have been subject to CBAM payments. Ukraine produces long products from oxygen-converter steel, and therefore the expected CBAM duties for Ukrainian products are quite high — according to our calculations, around €80/t. This negatively impacts the competitiveness of Ukrainian producers and export dynamics,” comments GMK Center analyst Andriy Glushchenko.

In February, exports of long steel products stood at 22,110 metric tons, which is 66.3% less than in February 2025 and 16.4% more than in the previous month.

Shipments of other carbon steel bars and rods, not further processed, twisted (HS 7214) amounted to 12.17 thousand tons (-36.9% y/y; +192% MoM), and wire of non-alloy steel (HS 7217) – 5.47 thousand tons (-46.8% y/y; -13.7% m/m), and hot-rolled bars and rods made of carbon steel, in coils (HS 7213) – 2.77 thousand tons (-90.6% y/y; -46.6% m/m).

Revenue from long product exports in January–February fell by 59.7% y/y – to $31.45 million, and in February – by 61.9% y/y and rose by 8% m/m – to $16.33 million.

As a reminder, in 2025 Ukraine increased its exports of long steel products by 45.4% compared to the same period in 2024, reaching 892,070 metric tons. Hot-rolled bars and rods made of carbon steel, in coils (HS Code 7213), accounted for 42.4% of total long product exports—378,520 metric tons (+46.5% year-over-year). Earnings increased by 34.9% year-on-year, to $609.8 million.