According to GMK Center estimates based on State Customs Service data, 233.85 thousand tons of flat steel products entered the Ukrainian market in January-March 2026, a 12.8% decrease compared to the same period in 2025. However, March showed a recovery in imports: supply volumes rose to 101.64 thousand tons, adding 4.7% year-on-year and 51.9% compared to the previous month. Such dynamics indicate uneven demand and changes in the procurement structure of the domestic market.
Import Structure and Key Supplying Countries
Over half of all imports in the first quarter consist of coated flat products (HS code 7210). Their volume reached 118.86 thousand tons, up 7.3% year-on-year. The main suppliers for this segment are Turkey, South Korea, and Slovakia, confirming the continued high role of external sources in meeting Ukrainian consumption needs.
Hot-rolled flat products (HS code 7208) account for 65.72 thousand tons, or 28% of all supplies, but their import volume decreased by 33.6% year-on-year. Turkey provides almost this entire volume, while the shares of China and the Czech Republic are significantly smaller. Imports of cold-rolled products (HS code 7209) also decreased by 29.8% to 23.09 thousand tons, where Turkish resources also dominate.
In value terms, expenses for flat steel imports in January-March decreased by 12.3% year-on-year to $238.13 million. In March, importers spent $98.3 million, down 3.4% year-on-year but up 34.7% month-on-month. This suggests a combination of a weaker quarterly base and more active inventory replenishment at the end of the reporting period.
Market Impact and Solutions from winox.ua
The reduction in quarterly flat steel imports may affect the operational availability of specific items for manufacturing, construction, and service companies. This is especially true for the hot-rolled and cold-rolled segments, where the supply drop is most noticeable. Under these conditions, it is vital for businesses to plan procurement more accurately, control warehouse stocks, and reduce the risk of supply disruptions.
For companies working with sheet metal, stainless steel, and related products, the importance of a reliable partner with predictable delivery terms is growing. In this situation, winox.ua acts as a supplier that helps clients stabilize their procurement cycle through reliable metal supplies and a balanced approach to stock selection. In a market where the import structure changes rapidly, this provides industrial consumers with better control over costs and production lead times.
An additional signal for the market is provided by the 2025 baseline, when flat steel imports to Ukraine grew to 1.09 million tons, with costs reaching $1.13 billion. This means that the current decline in the first quarter is not necessarily a long-term trend but already requires careful monitoring of demand, prices, and supply geography. For B2B consumers, the main task becomes flexible procurement management in a changing import environment.