The Ukrainian iron ore industry has lost a third of exports
In January-April of this year, mining enterprises of Ukraine reduced exports of iron ore in physical terms by 30.3% compared to the same period last year, to 7 million 773,359 thousand. Tons from 11 million 147.338 thousand . Tons.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (GMS), 2 million 163,837 thousand were exported in April. Tons of iron ore, in March – 2 million 300,467 thousand. Tons, in February – 1 million 254,516 thousand. Tons, in January – 2 million 54,539 thousand. Tons.
In the first four months of the year, foreign exchange earnings from the export of iron ore decreased by 31.4% to $612.998 million.
Iron ore exports were mainly to China (41.84% of shipments in monetary terms), Slovakia (19.06%) and Poland (15.34%).
In addition, in January-April 2026, Ukraine imported 214 tons of iron ore worth $56 thousand. From the Netherlands (42.86%), Poland (35.71%) and Italy (21.43%), while in January-April 2025 imported 65 thousand. Tons for $46 thousand.
As reported, mining enterprises of Ukraine in 2025 reduced the export of air defense systems in physical terms by 8% compared to the previous year to 30 million 995,363 thousand. Tons from 33 million 699,722 thousand . Foreign exchange earnings decreased by 16.6% to $2 billion 337.765 million from $2 billion 803.223 million. Exports were mainly to China (44.98% of shipments in monetary terms), Slovakia (17.15%) and Poland (16.09%).
In addition, Ukraine imported iron ore worth $95 thousand in 2025. With a volume of 130 tons from the Netherlands (46.32%), Italy (36.84%) and Norway (13.68%), while in the previous year it imported 2,042 thousand tons. Tons worth $414 thousand.