After the coal deliveries from the temporarily occupied regions of Donbass have been blocked, Ukraine has only two countries from which to buy it – USA and Russia, and the latter has just increased its price by 37%.
“At first Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Works was shut down following the shelling, then people blocked the railroad. We had to buy coke from Russia or from the USA. Of course, our neighbors are closer. But in just 1 or 2 days Russia has increased coke price by 37%. Its price now is so high, there is no sense in producing pig iron any more”, Azovstal CEO Enver Tskitishvili said.
Since February 1, Azovstal has seen losses at $3.6 million because of the blockade, raw materials price increase as well as the drop in output. And this equals the company monthly revenue. (Ukrainian metal)