Blockade of Black Sea ports wipes out Ukraine’s pig iron exports in August

Ukrainian metallurgical enterprises reduced exports of merchant pig iron by 16.4% in January–August 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, to 1.03 million tonnes.

Shipments ceased entirely in August due to the blockade of Black Sea ports. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing a GMK Center publication based on data from the State Customs Service.

Revenue from pig iron exports over the eight months of 2026 amounted to approximately EUR 359.4 million.

GMK Center warns that the current situation could cause Ukrainian exporters to lose their market share.

For comparison: in 2025, Ukraine’s metallurgical enterprises increased exports of merchant pig iron by 53.5% compared to the same period in 2024, to 1.98 million tonnes. Revenue from pig iron exports for the full year 2025 amounted to approximately EUR 661.2 million.

According to estimates by the Ukrainian National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce, if the maritime corridor does not resume operations, Ukraine could lose approximately EUR 8.7 billion in GDP, approximately EUR 14.8 billion in export revenue, and a further approximately EUR 7.4 billion in tax receipts. In addition, more than 30 million tonnes of agricultural products will not reach world markets.