In 2022, Ukraine smelted almost 6.3 million tons of steel - only a third of the result of 2021. Most of these volumes (58%) were produced in the 1st quarter. The production of rolled products decreased by 72% to 5.4 million tons.
Russia's attacks on railway infrastructure, and most importantly, the blockade of seaports, have become one of the most serious problem for the industry. About 65% of exports of metal products were made through ports.
In February, "Metinvest" began to import electricity for its needs, which made it possible to increase the capacity utilization of the "Kametstal" plant to 65% after the shutdown in November.
In pre-war times, the main buyer of Ukrainian raw materials was China. Last year, exports to China were carried out only in the first four months, after which Ukrainian suppliers, in the conditions of blocked ports, redirected volumes to the nearest markets - the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia.
The export of metal products for the year fell by 68% to 6.5 million tons, which led to a decrease in export revenues from its sale by 65%.
"Metinvest" supplies a factory in Bulgaria with a square billet for the production of long rolled products, and with slabs - a semi-finished product for the production of flat rolled products - factories in Italy and Great Britain.
The Ukrainian mining and metallurgical complex managed to survive, according to various estimates, at the level of 15-30% of capacities, primarily due to the support of Western partners, who provided their ports and lowered trade barriers.
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