According to GMK Center calculations based on State Customs Service data, Ukrainian steel mills reduced long steel exports by 60.5% year-on-year in January-March 2026, reaching 69.58 thousand tons. This decline was accompanied by a 55.8% drop in export revenue to $52.95 million, indicating significant pressure on the external sales of Ukrainian manufacturers. At the same time, the market showed a partial recovery in March compared to February, although the year-on-year dynamics remain negative.
Export Structure and Key Shipping Destinations
The largest share of long product exports in the first quarter consisted of other carbon steel bars and rods (not further worked, twisted) under HS code 7214 — 26.23 thousand tons, or 37.7% of the total volume. This is 59.7% less than the same period last year. The primary markets for these products were Poland, Moldova, and Romania.
Exports of non-alloy steel wire (HS code 7217) amounted to 19.25 thousand tons, down 42.5% year-on-year. The main buyers were Poland, Germany, and Moldova. Another 16.29 thousand tons came from hot-rolled carbon steel bars and rods in coils (HS code 7213), where the decline reached 73.6% year-on-year.
In March 2026, total long steel exports reached 28.47 thousand tons. While this is 53.1% less than in March 2025, it represents a 28.8% increase compared to the previous month. Thus, after a weak start to the year, the segment is showing local recovery, though it has not yet reached last year's volumes.
Market Impact and Solutions from winox.ua
The sharp reduction in long steel exports shifts the balance between foreign supplies, domestic demand, and the production capacity utilization of steel plants. For traders, construction companies, and industrial consumers, this emphasizes the importance of predictable logistics, the availability of long products, and purchasing risk management. Choosing a supplier capable of ensuring a stable assortment in a volatile market becomes critical.
In these conditions, winox.ua acts as a practical partner for B2B clients requiring reliable supplies of rolled metal, stainless steel, and non-ferrous metals. The company works with verified manufacturers and offers certified products that meet current industrial and metalworking requirements. For businesses, this helps reduce the risk of production interruptions and allows for more accurate procurement planning.
Given the decline in export revenue and unstable export flows, the domestic market may become more sensitive to changes in production costs, energy, and transportation. Therefore, it is vital for Ukrainian metal consumers to work with suppliers who maintain stable prices, broad inventory, and predictable shipping times. Such an approach allows businesses to adapt more quickly to market fluctuations.
March Dynamics and Market Signals
March figures show that after weaker results in the previous month, certain product categories are beginning to recover. Specifically, exports of non-alloy steel wire increased by 36.1% month-on-month, and hot-rolled bars in coils surged by 201%. Meanwhile, shipments of twisted bars and rods under code 7214 decreased by 18.7% month-on-month.
For the market, this means that demand from specific European destinations remains, but it is uneven across product types. Poland retains its status as a key foreign market for almost all major categories of long products. However, the overall decline in the first quarter confirms that 2026 is starting much weaker for exporters than 2025, when Ukraine conversely increased long steel exports by 45.4%.
For manufacturers and traders, this is a reason to more carefully evaluate their portfolio structure, sales channels, and inventory. For end consumers, it is a signal to more actively secure procurement terms and work with suppliers who can provide quality, availability, and technical support. In the coming months, these factors will determine the resilience of operations in the metal products market.