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Try the Free AI Search EnginePositive Outlook on Ukrainian Steel Market: Import Surges and Activity Recoveries in Focus
In Ukraine, the steel market is witnessing a positive sentiment as recent developments indicate recovery and increased activity levels, notably in the integrated steel facilities. Recent reports highlight key shifts: “Ukraine imported 65.3 thousand tons of flat rolled steel in January“ and “Ukraine increased imports of long rolled products by 62.3% m/m in January.” These articles directly correlate with observed increases in plant activity levels, especially for Metinvest Zaporizhstal and Alchevsk Iron & Steel.
The Metinvest Zaporizhstal steel plant has shown an improved activity level, increasing from 31% in December 2025 to 36% in February 2026. This rise can be closely matched with the reported increase in imports of flat rolled products, as Ukrainian buyers sought to meet demand for finished goods in sectors such as automotive and packaging. However, the Yenakiieve Iron & Steel Works showed more fluctuations, with activity dropping to 0% in December 2025, though it rebounded to 45% by February. No direct relationship with activities reported in the news could be established here.
The Alchevsk Iron & Steel Plant also improved significantly, reaching 67% in February, coinciding with increasing domestic manufacturing needs—possibly reflecting the rising demand illustrated in the steel import growth reports. Consumer sectors prioritizing construction and automotive likely drove this demand surge.
Given the current climate, buyers should closely monitor the following procurement strategies:
- Secure allocations from Metinvest Zaporizhstal and Alchevsk Iron & Steel, given their positive activity trends and extensive production capabilities, helping mitigate potential supply risks.
- Diversify sources for long and flat rolled products; with increasing imports, maintaining relationships with suppliers in Turkey and China is advisable to ensure robustness in the supply chain.
- Prioritize products with sharp demand surges, such as hot-rolled and flat products, as indicated by reports like “Ukraine imported 65.3 thousand tons of flat rolled steel in January.”
In conclusion, strategic procurement aligning with current market trends will position buyers effectively amidst evolving steel demand dynamics in Ukraine.