To avoid a shortage of scrap metal in the domestic market, Ukraine increased its export duty. How has Ukraine traded scrap metal in the last six years?

According to analysts, in 2019 Ukraine exported 42,180 tons of scrap for $11.8M. In 2020, exports decreased by 15.1%, in monetary terms, to $9.5M. But in pre-war 2021, ferrous scrap exports increased by 1,600% to 615,690 tons (+1,618.8%), in monetary terms by 2,400% to $238.9M. In response, the parliament raised the export duty from €58 to €180 per ton.

Following that change, in the first year of the full-scale war, scrap exports fell by 91.3% to 53,560 tons ($19.3M). As well, the export geography has changed: The main buyers, in addition to Turkey (39%), were joined by Poland (34%) and Greece (10%). When exporting scrap to EU countries, a significantly lower export duty applies.

Last year, scrap exports increased again to 182,490 tons (+240.7%), and $52.7M. Poland purchased 85.44%, Greece – 8.91%.

Over the 11 months of this year, 261,580 tons of scrap were exported (+43.3%) for $82.1M. Poland accounted for 82.56% of supplies, Greece – 12.58%, Germany – 3.49%.