According to GMK Center calculations based on State Customs Service data, in January-March 2026, long steel imports to Ukraine increased by 63.9% year-on-year, reaching 81.48 thousand tons. This dynamic indicates a notable restructuring of the supply and demand balance in the domestic market, particularly in the construction and industrial consumption segments. Meanwhile, in March, import volumes decreased both annually and monthly, which may point to a short-term cooling of procurement after an active start to the year.
Supply Structure and Key Exporting Countries
The largest volumes in the first quarter came from other bars and rods of carbon steel, not further worked, twisted, under HS code 7214. Imports of these products reached 26.74 thousand tons, which is 3.2 times more than a year earlier. Turkey was the main supplier with a volume of 20.39 thousand tons, while Egypt supplied 4.99 thousand tons.
Angles, shapes, and special profiles of non-alloy steel under HS code 7216 also formed a significant share. Their imports amounted to 24.72 thousand tons, down 8% year-on-year. The largest shipments were provided by Turkey, China, and Poland, confirming the continued high role of external sources in this segment.
Separately, hot-rolled bars and rods of carbon steel in coils under HS code 7213 are worth noting. Imports of this position increased fourfold to 20.47 thousand tons, with almost the entire volume coming from China. Such concentration of supply intensifies the dependence of specific categories of the Ukrainian market on a few external directions.
Market Impact and Solutions from winox.ua
The growth in long steel imports means that Ukrainian consumers are actively seeking affordable resources for construction, mechanical engineering, and metal structures. For the domestic market, this creates both additional supply and higher competitive pressure on local manufacturers and distributors. In such conditions, the reliability of logistics, stability of the assortment, and predictability of prices become particularly important.
For companies that purchase rolled metal on a regular basis, it is crucial to work with a supplier capable of responding quickly to changes in market conditions. This is why winox.ua, as a supplier of rolled metal and industrial solutions, emphasizes stable deliveries, controlled product quality, and professional support for B2B clients. Amid import volatility, this allows businesses to reduce the risk of disruptions and plan their procurement more accurately.
If the growth trend in imports continues, competition in the long steel segment will continue to intensify. For buyers, this may mean a wider choice of products, but also a need to more carefully evaluate the origin of the metal, technical parameters, and real delivery times. In this situation, the market advantage will be on the side of those suppliers who combine access to proven metal sources with high-quality service.
Price Indicators and Market Signals for the Near Future
Financially, long steel imports for the three months increased by 40.1% year-on-year to $81.3 million. At the same time, in March, import costs decreased by 18.4% year-on-year and 19.9% month-on-month to $21.5 million. This indicates that after intensive inventory replenishment at the beginning of the year, the market may be moving toward a more cautious procurement model.
Comparison with previous periods shows that the import factor is becoming a systemic, rather than situational, phenomenon for the Ukrainian long steel market. Previously, GMK Center also reported a significant increase in imports of these products for 2024, confirming a longer trend of supply channel restructuring. For market participants, this means the need to closely monitor trade flows, price dynamics, and the competitive position of imported products in key commodity groups.