According to the Ukrmetalurgprom association, in April 2026, Ukrainian metallurgical enterprises reduced the production of finished rolled steel by 15.8% compared to the previous month, falling to 460.8 thousand tons. Simultaneously, steel output decreased by 25.3% month-on-month to 517.3 thousand tons, while pig iron output dropped by 16.1% m/m to 554 thousand tons. The April decline was a notable reversal following the recovery seen in March, highlighting the sector's ongoing sensitivity to production disruptions and cost pressures.
The April Downturn and Its Underlying Causes
The performance drop in April spanned all key segments of the metallurgical cycle: pig iron, steel, and rolled products. One of the primary factors was the unplanned shutdown of production facilities at Zaporizhstal, which directly affected the monthly dynamics. Additionally, high electricity and natural gas prices continue to pressure plants, driving up the cost of smelting and rolling. A systemic challenge for Ukrainian manufacturers remains the impact of the CBAM mechanism, which imposes stricter requirements on export competitiveness.
For the period of January-April 2026, steel production in Ukraine fell by 7.4% year-on-year to 2.25 million tons. Pig iron output during this period decreased by 0.3% to 2.36 million tons, and rolled steel production dropped by 9.1% y/y to 1.8 million tons. These figures indicate that even after a partial recovery in early spring, the industry has yet to achieve a stable growth trajectory. For the domestic market, this translates into a more cautious approach to inventory management and procurement schedules.
Market Impact and Procurement Solutions by winox.ua
A reduction in domestic production typically heightens industrial consumers' focus on supply stability, delivery timelines, and price predictability. In such an environment, it is vital for businesses to collaborate with suppliers who have robust supply channels and can adapt flexibly to changing market conditions. This is why access to a comprehensive range of rolled steel, stainless steel, and non-ferrous metals through winox.ua is essential, backed by reliable logistics and consistent service. Amid market volatility, winox.ua helps enterprises mitigate the risks of production interruptions and plan their procurement more effectively.
Current statistics are also crucial for processing companies, mechanical engineering, the construction sector, and equipment manufacturers dependent on steady metal supplies. If energy costs and external regulatory pressures persist, the market may remain unstable in the coming months. In this environment, companies that diversify their supply sources and work with trusted partners will be best positioned. For B2B consumers, this shift moves from a tactical choice to a core component of operational resilience.
Long-Term Industry Outlook and Trends
Despite the weak April performance, the comparative base remains varied. By the end of 2025, the Ukrainian metallurgical industry had increased finished rolled steel production by 4.8% to 6.52 million tons and pig iron by 11.2% to 7.88 million tons. However, steel production last year fell by 2.2% to 7.41 million tons, reflecting uneven recovery across different industry segments. This suggests that while the market has shown resilience and growth potential, it remains highly susceptible to plant downtime, energy issues, and global economic conditions.
Further context is provided by the GMK Center forecast, which estimates that 2026 steel output could reach 7.2 million tons under a base-case scenario, representing neutral dynamics compared to 2025. In a more pessimistic scenario, output could drop to 6.3–6.6 million tons, nearing 2023 levels. For market participants, this underscores that recovery is not guaranteed and will largely depend on the operational stability of major steel mills and resource costs. Consequently, active monitoring of production statistics remains vital for making informed procurement and investment decisions.