Driven by Chinese demand, world iron ore prices have reached 15 year highs, and Ukraine responded by increasing its iron ore production by 8% to 10.8 million tons,

during the first half of this year, compared to the same January-June period last year, reports Ukrmetalurgprom, the metals industry association. Similarly, Ukraine’s steel production rose by 7.5%, to 10.9 million tons. Rolled steel rose by 6.6%, to 9.6 million tons. Last year, production of these three categories was up by 1-2%.