In April Ukrainian metal companies expect steel output to drop by 15% form the March planned results, to 1.7 million tons from 2 million tons.
According to Ukrmetallurgprom, the April plan also presupposes the decrease in rolled metal output by 16.7%, to 1.5 million tons, and pig iron by 21%, to 1.5 million tons.
Such forecasts are given provided the current situation in the mining and metal complex persists.
In January-February Ukraine produced 3.5 million tons of pig iron, 3.8 million tons of steel and 3.3 million tons of rolled metal, all down by 9%, 2% and 2% YoY respectively.
In February pig iron output totaled 1.6 million tons (55.9 thousand tons on average per day), steel – 1.7 million tons (61.1 thousand tons) and rolled metal – 1.5 million tons (55 thousand tons).
The decrease is explained by the shut down of several enterprises on the occupied territories and shortages of raw materials. In particular Alchevsk Iron and Steel Works was shut down on February 13, Yenakievo Works – on February 21, and Donetskstal – on February 26.
Ukrainian iron ore raw materials deliveries to local metal works in February reached 2 million tons, down by 570 thousand tons MoM, in 2 months – 4.5 million tons, up by 10% YoY.
Imports of iron ore raw materials from Russia dropped by 60 thousand tons MoM, to 8 thousand tons. In January-February imports totaled 78 thousand tons, down by 86% YoY.
Exports totaled 3.1 million tons in February and 5.9 million tons in 2 months, down by 8% YoY. (Ukrainian metal)