According to the preliminary data issued by the Ukrainian Association of Ore-dressing Enterprises (Ukrrudprom), in the first seven months of 2009 the Ukrainian steelmakers increased their imports of iron ore by 11.3 percent to 2.557 million mt, while the Ukrainian mining companies raised their iron ore exports by 5.7 percent to 14.118 million mt, both compared to the same period last year.
In January-July 2009, Ukraine imported 2.066 million mt of iron ore concentrate - up by 2.3 times, 340,400 mt of sintered ore - down 61.8 percent, and 128,300 mt of pellets - down 73.6 percent, all compared to January-July 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 seven months of 2009 Ukraine's exports of iron ore concentrate increased by 64.7 percent year on year to 6.312 million mt, its exports of pellets went up by nine percent to 5.339 million mt, while its exports of sintered ore decreased by 46.6 percent to 2.437 million mt.