Ukrainian export/import of iron & steel products for 11 months of 2017-2018 years

In November, the smallest volumes of metallurgical products were exported from the beginning of the current year – 1’321,1 thousand tons, which is 3.9% less than the previous month. Export of raw materials for metallurgy (goods from group 72) in November this year reached 396,2 thousand tons, which is 22.7% more than in October, the export of semi-finished products – 426,1 thousand tons (minus 4.4% compared to October ), export of rolled products – 498,8 thousand tons (minus 17.6% by October). The volume of export of rolled products in November is the lowest since the beginning of the year, and semi-finished products – one of the lowest (less was exported only in August – 421,9 thousand tons). Such unsatisfactory rate of export of rolled metal goods is due to the decrease of exports in November compared to October, as flat-rolled products – by 21.3% to 294,8 thousand tons (the lowest indicator since the beginning of the year) and rolled products – by 15.6% to 177,3 thousand tons (less was only in June).

Analyzing the growth of exports of metallurgical products by the results of 11 months of the current year by 2.7% compared to the same period last year (hereinafter – SPLY) to 17,09 million tons, we  must note that this increase is largely due to the growth of cast iron exports – products with a lower value-added than finished products or semi-finished products. In the period under review, exports of iron and steel increased by 35% compared to SPLY to 2,831.9 thousand tons, while export revenues amounted to USD 992,7 million, which is 50.6% more than in SPLY. The main markets for Ukrainian cast iron are the USA, Italy, and Turkey. In November, 322.7 thousand tons of pig iron was exported with the total value of USD 112,7 million, which is one of the best numbers since the beginning of the year, both in terms of volume and value.

Cast iron – is the only raw material the volume of export which has increased. In particular, exports of ferroalloys in January-November showed a decrease of 3.2% to 823,5 thousand tons compared to SPLY, while exports of scrap fell by 28.6% to 320,1 thousand tons. Proceeds from the export of ferroalloys during the period amounted to USD 899,9 million (minus 11.4% to the SPLY indicator), from the export of scrap – USD 103,6 million, which is 5.9% less than in January-November of last year. In September-November, the volume of exports of scrap was 3,86-8,27 thousand tons per month, if compared to April (before the introduction of the export duty on scrap of 42 EUR/ton), 76,33 thousand tons of scrap were exported for the amount of USD 24,87 million. Despite the unsuccessful September-October, volumes of raw materials exports by the results of 11 months of the current year increased by 16.9% compared to SPLY and amounted to 3,98 million tonnes. Proceeds from the export of raw materials amounted to 1999,9 million USD (plus 11.8% compared to January-November of last year).

Export volumes of metallurgical semi-finished products also increased: according to the results of 11 months of the current year, the export of semi-finished products amounted to 5866,2 thousand tons, which is 2.8% more compared to SPLY. In terms of money, the growth of exports of semi-finished products was more significant – plus 23.8% compared to last year’s figure. The volume of export of finished rolled products decreased to 7242,6 thousand tons (minus 3.7% compared to SPLY), but due to the general increase of prices on the world market in the segment of finished rolled, the proceeds from the export of rolled products have increased, despite the decrease of export volumes. In money terms, the export of rolled products in January-November amounted to USD 4,286 million, which is 15.3% more compared to SPLY. If the export of flat-rolled products and flat-rolled products with coating in the period under review increased, the decrease in volumes of export of rolled products by 11.4% compared to SPLY to 2,52 million tons caused a general decline in the export of rolled stock.

During this period, 611,4 thousand tons of steel pipes were exported by Ukrainian enterprises (68.9% – seamless pipes, 31.1% – welded pipes), which is 6.7% more than SPLY. Proceeds from the export of pipes amounted to USD 681,5 million (81.4% – seamless pipes, 18.6% – welded pipes) – it is 33.4% more than last year. In November, 50,4 thousand tons of steel pipes were exported, which is 18.5% less than the October figure and is one of the lowest monthly figures since the beginning of the year. The decrease in exports of pipes led primarily to a decrease in exports of seamless pipes in November – 32,9 thousand tons (minus 20.8% to the October figure). Less pipes from Ukraine were exported only in February and March of this year.

Imports of metal to Ukraine in the 11 months of 2018 increased by 10.3% compared with January-November last year and amounted to 1’255,1 thousand tons. In terms of money, the import of rolled products amounted to USD 1’009,1 million, which is 19.6% higher than the SPLY. An increase in the volume of import of rolled stock was due to an increase in supplies to Ukraine of rolled stock by 30.5% to 506,6 thousand tons worth USD 332 million (46.1% higher than the SPLY indicator). Imports of flat-rolled products decreased to 277,5 thousand tons (minus 7.7% compared to SPLY), while imports of flat-rolled coil grew by 4.9% to 471 thousand tons. As already noted, the cost of import of rolled stock amounted to USD 1’009,1 million, of which 42.6% – flat coated steel, 32.9% – rolled steel, 24.5% – flat-rolled steel.

Source: SE “Derzhzovnishinform” (DZI)