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%.