According to the Ukrainian association of metal producers Metallurgprom, in May this year Ukraine's average daily pig iron output decreased by 4,900 mt compared to April to 77,400 mt, as the Ukrainian steel producers cut their outputs due to weak demand and the problems experienced by some local steelmakers in securing iron ore supplies.
"The decreasing tendency in steel production, seen in late May, continues in June. Thus, the average daily pig iron output in the first seven days of June decreased to 63,000 mt," Metallurgprom said.
In January-May this year Ukrainian steelmakers' average daily pig iron output amounted to 78,500 mt, compared to 66,000 mt in the same period last year.
According to the Metallurgprom data, as of June 1, 15 of Ukraine's 41 blast furnaces were idled, compared to 10 idled blast furnaces as of May 11. In addition, four of the country's 21 converters (compared to two in May), 19 of its 35 open hearth furnaces (18 in May) and eight of its 15 electric furnaces also continue to stand idle.