According to GMK Center estimates based on State Customs Service data, Ukrainian steel mills reduced imports of coke and semi-coke by 9.9% year-on-year in January-March 2026, totaling 191.42 thousand tons. However, March displayed an opposite trend, with import volumes rising both annually and monthly. For the market, this signals that demand for this critical raw material remains volatile and highly sensitive to the production needs of metallurgical plants.
Import Structure and Raw Material Expenditure Trends
Nearly all coke imported in the first quarter originated from Poland, totaling 188.27 thousand tons—a 3.7% increase compared to the same period last year. An additional 2.05 thousand tons were supplied by the Czech Republic, representing a 33.4% annual decline. Total expenditure on imported raw materials over the three-month period decreased by 1.5% to $66.98 million.
In March, the situation shifted: coke imports to Ukraine rose by 21% year-on-year and 25.6% month-on-month, reaching 68.31 thousand tons. Procurement costs rose even faster—up 32.5% compared to the previous year and 26.7% against February, reaching $24.23 million. This dynamic indicates that despite the overall quarterly decline, the market remains heavily dependent on external supplies and price fluctuations.
What This Means for Metallurgy and the Steel Products Market
The decline in domestic coking coal mining and coke production creates a long-term structural dependence on imports. From 2013 to 2024, coking coal mining in Ukraine plummeted by 74%, while coke production dropped by nearly 85%, largely due to the loss of key assets in non-controlled territories. GMK Center estimates that to maintain current steel and merchant pig iron output, the country requires approximately 3.2 million tons of coke annually.
For steel producers, this means ongoing pressure on production costs, while consumers of rolled metal face risks of price volatility in the supply chain. In such an environment, businesses need more than just predictable raw material supplies; they need reliable partners in the finished metal market. This is why for winox.ua industrial clients, stable shipments, quality control of rolled metal, and the ability to plan stainless steel and other metal purchases without unnecessary logistical risks are paramount.
Import Dependency Persists Despite Diversification Efforts
Despite the dominance of the Polish supply route, Ukrainian companies continue to seek additional channels for raw material security. In early April 2025, the first vessel carrying coking coal from the USA arrived in Ukraine, chartered by Metinvest Group, with a shipment volume of 80 thousand tons. The company signaled intentions for monthly deliveries, indicating a strategy to reduce dependency on a single region.
Nevertheless, 2025 results showed that coke and semi-coke imports grew by 5.9% to 700.65 thousand tons, with Poland remaining the primary source. This confirms that raw material security for Ukrainian metallurgy remains a critical issue in 2026. For the broader metal market, this is a vital factor influencing production schedules, contract pricing, and the speed of metal product delivery to end-users.