Ukraine reduced imports of coke by 9.9% y/y in Q1

According to data for January–March 2026, Ukraine’s steel enterprises reduced imports of coke and semi-coke (HS Code 2704) by 9.9% compared to the same period in 2025, down to 191,420 oric tons. This is evidenced by calculations by the GMK Center based on data from the State Customs Service.

Almost the entire volume of imports for the period consisted of Polish products—188,270 metric tons (+3.7% year-on-year). Another 2.05 thousand tons were imported from the Czech Republic, which is 33.4% less year-on-year. Expenditures on raw material imports over the three months decreased by 1.5% year-on-year, to $66.98 million.

In March, coke imports to Ukraine rose by 21% year-on-year and 25.6% month-on-month, to 68,310 tons, while import costs increased by 32.5% year-on-year and 26.7% month-on-month, to $24.23 million.

Between 2013 and 2024, coking coal production in Ukraine fell by 74%, while coke production dropped by nearly 85%. The majority of mines and coking plants—64% of the total—remain in uncontrolled territories.

According to GMK Center estimates, to maintain production at current levels—specifically, the production of up to 6.5 million tons of steel via converter and open-hearth processes and 1.3 million tons of merchant pig iron—Ukraine needs 3.2 million tons of coke per year, of which up to 20% was imported in 2024.

In early April 2025, the first ship carrying coking coal from the United States, chartered by the Metinvest Group, arrived in Ukraine. The bulk carrier delivered 80,000 tons of raw material from United Coal Company, a subsidiary of the group. Metinvest planned to carry out similar import shipments on a monthly basis.

As a reminder, in 2025, Ukraine imported 700,650 tons of coke and semi-coke, which is 5.9% more than in 2024. The majority of the year’s imports consisted of Polish products—657,840 tons. Another 27,670 tons of coke were imported from Indonesia, and 15,080 tons from the Czech Republic. Expenditures on raw material imports rose by 1.4% year-on-year, to $238.66 million.