Ukrainian steelmakers exported 23.1 thousand tons of long rolled products in January 2023

In January 2023, steel enterprises of Ukraine reduced the export of long rolled products by 27.5% compared to the previous month – to 23.07 thousand tons. In monetary terms, the export of such products fell by 9.1% m/m – to $21.68 million. This is evidenced by State Customs Service’s data.

In January 2023, shipments of long-rolled goods abroad decreased by 80.2% year-on-year, and export revenue decreased by 79.1%.

Hot-rolled bars and wire rods (Nomenclature – 7213) were exported the most for the month – 10.65 thousand tons for $6.7 million, which is 45.5% and 47.8% less, respectively, compared to December 2022. 8.69 thousand tons (+21.4% m/m) of carbon steel (Nomenclature – 7217) worth $8.95 million (+31.5% m/m) were also exported.

Other carbon steel wire rods and bars, without further processing, twisted (Nomenctlature – 7214) cover the top three types of long-rolled products in terms of export volumes from Ukraine in January 2023. In January 2023, steel companies reduced the export of such products by 30.5% compared to the previous month – to 1.84 thousand tons. Revenue from the shipment of such products decreased by 27.3% m/m – to $1.3 million.

The largest consumers of Ukrainian hot-rolled wire rods and bars are Romania and Poland – 64.4% and 23.34%, respectively, in monetary terms. Poland (42.6%) and Germany (21.1%) consumed more than 60% of Ukrainian-made wire rods. Among the main buyers of other rods and bars are Bulgaria (55.1%), Sweden (15.3%) and Lithuania (14.2%).

After the Russian invasion, ferrous metals exports fell sharply due to the blockade of ports, logistical problems, as well as the destruction of the big plants in Mariupol – Azovstal and Ilyich Iron and Steel Works. Now Ukrainian steelmakers are actively looking for new ways to export products, but the shipment can be made mainly to Europe, since most world markets are closed to Ukraine due to the inaccessibility of ports.

As GMK Center reported earlier, in 2022 steel enterprises of Ukraine reduced the export of long rolled products by 59.7% compared to 2021 – to 748.95 thousand tons. The revenue of steelmakers from the export of such products fell by 55% y/y – to $693.53 million. Hot-rolled wire rods and bars in bundles (Nomenclature code – 7213) were exported the most – 406.6 thousand tons for $310 million, which is 56.1% and 54.2% less, respectively, compared to 2021