According to the preliminary data issued for the first five months of 2009, the Ukrainian steelmakers decreased their imports of iron ore by 11.4 percent to 1.623 million mt, while the Ukrainian mining companies reduced their iron ore exports by 6.9 percent to 9.124 million mt, both compared to the same period last year.
In January-May 2009, Ukraine imported 1.238 million mt of iron ore concentrate - up 71.7 percent, 250,500 mt of sintered ore - down 63.1 percent, and 113,300 mt of pellets - down 73.8 percent, all compared to January-May 2008. In addition, the Ukrainian steelmakers imported 21,800 mt 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 percent to 4.046 million mt, its exports of pellets went up by 0.2 percent to 3.696 million mt, while its exports of sintered ore decreased by 57 percent to 1.382 million mt.
According to the Ukrainian Association of Ore-dressing Enterprises (Ukrrudprom), due to the increase in iron ore imports from Russia, the volumes of domestic iron ore sold to the local market are decreasing. As a result of the decrease in demand, the Ukrainian mining companies are finding it difficult to sell their products, and, as a result, the reserves in their stocks are increasing.