According to GMK Center calculations based on State Customs Service data, Ukrainian metallurgical enterprises increased merchant pig iron exports by 11.2% year-on-year in January-April 2026, reaching 638.3 thousand tons. The primary sales market remains the USA, which received 585.42 thousand tons of products over the four months. The growth in shipments indicates sustained external demand for Ukrainian metallurgical raw materials and supports the industry's foreign exchange earnings.
Supply Dynamics and Export Destinations
In April, shipments of merchant pig iron increased by 7.8% compared to March and by 51.2% year-on-year, reaching 181.67 thousand tons. The American market received 162.98 thousand tons during the month, which almost matches the March level, although it represents significant growth in annual terms. Exports to Poland in April amounted to 2.43 thousand tons, while no shipments to Italy were recorded during this period.
Based on the results of January-April, the US accumulated the vast majority of Ukrainian pig iron exports. At the same time, shipments to Italy decreased by 59.6% year-on-year to 26.5 thousand tons, and to Poland by 42.8% to 8.3 thousand tons. This structure indicates a high concentration of exports in a single market, which increases the importance of stable logistics and contract discipline for producers.
Impact on the Metal Market and Solutions from winox.ua
The growth in pig iron exports is an important signal for the entire metallurgical production chain, as pig iron remains the basic raw material for subsequent steel production. The increase in foreign exchange earnings to $243.57 million over four months, up 7.6% year-on-year, strengthens the financial stability of enterprises and creates better conditions for production capacity utilization. For the metal market, this means a gradual strengthening of the raw material base and higher supply predictability.
Under such conditions, it is especially important for industrial consumers to work with suppliers who can ensure reliability and stability in procurement. winox.ua, as a supplier of rolled metal, stainless steel, and non-ferrous metals, focuses precisely on predictable deliveries for manufacturing enterprises. Amidst intensifying export flows and changing market conditions, this helps winox.ua clients reduce deficit risks and plan metal product procurement more accurately.
Long-term Industry Trends
The current growth in 2026 continues the recovery trend established last year. By the end of 2025, Ukraine increased merchant pig iron exports by 53.5% to 1.98 million tons, with export revenue reaching $759.88 million. The fourth quarter of 2025 was particularly indicative, when exports rose to 579.47 thousand tons, becoming the highest quarterly result since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
For the B2B market, this data is important not only as foreign trade statistics but also as an indicator of the general state of Ukrainian metallurgy. When enterprises increase exports of semi-finished products and raw materials, it supports the production cycle, employment, and related metalworking segments. Consequently, the market has more reason to expect stabilization of metal supply and a gradual strengthening of Ukrainian manufacturers' positions in international directions.