Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Ukrainian Iron Ore Exports Down 11% In First Five Months Of 2009

According to preliminary data issued for the first five months of 2009, Ukrainian steelmakers decreased their imports of iron ore by 11.4% to 1.623 million tonne while Ukrainian mining companies reduced their iron ore exports by 6.9% YoY to 9.124 million tonnes compared to the same period last year.

In January to May 2009, Ukraine imported 1.238 million tonnes of iron ore concentrate up by 71.7%, 250,500 tonne of sintered ore down by 63.1% and 113,300 tonne of pellets down by 73.8% all compared to January to May 2008. In addition, Ukrainian steelmakers imported 21,800 tonne of agglomerate which was not imported during the same period last year.

On the other hand, during the first five months of 2009, Ukraine’s exports of iron ore concentrate increased by 42.3% to 4.046 million tonne, its exports of pellets went up by 0.2% to 3.696 million tonne while its exports of sintered ore decreased by 57% to 1.382 million tonne.

According to the Ukrainian Association of Ore-dressing Enterprises, due to the increase in iron ore imports from Russia the volumes of domestic iron ore sold to the local market have decreased. As a result of the decrease in demand, Ukrainian mining companies are finding it difficult to sell their products and as a result the reserves in their stocks are increasing.

SourceL Steel Guru

No comments: