Ukrainian steelmakers produced 4.2 million tons of steel in January-May

According to the results of January-May 2022, Ukrainian steel plants reduced steelmaking by 52.8% compared to the same period in 2021, to 4.24 million tons, Ukrmetalurgprom reported with reference to the World Steel Association.

Pig iron output for 5 months decreased by 53.3% compared to January-May 2021, to 4.15 million tons.

Thus, Ukraine dropped to 18th place in the world ranking of steel producers, and 12th of pig iron producers. In January-May 2021, Ukrainian steelmakers ranked 13th and 10th in the respective rankings.

The war in Ukraine caused damage to steel plants located in the east of the country, where active hostilities are now taking place. Prior to the Russian invasion, the steel industry was the largest source of export revenue for Ukraine.

In June, some of the largest plants have restarted operations in Ukraine: Zaporizhstal, ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih and others. They do not produce all the metal items that customers need. Therefore, the products that were produced exclusively by Azovstal and Ilyich Iron and Steel Works need to replace with imported ones.

Global steelmaking in May 2022 decreased by 3.5% compared to May 2021, to 169.5 billion tons. The top three producing countries, according to World Steel, included:

• China – 96.6 million tons (-3.5% compared to May 2021);
• India – 10.6 million tons (+ 17.3%);
• Japan – 8.1 million tons (-4.2%).

In 2021, global steel production increased by 3.7% compared to 2020, to 1.95 billion tons. Ukraine at the same time increased output by 3.6%, to 21.4 million tons. The country ranked 14th in global ranking of 64 steel producing countries.