In 2010, Ukraine is expected to increase the output of its main steel products by 7-8 percent year on year, considering the data issued by the Ukrainian association of metal producers Metallurgprom based on the country's steel output results for the first month of the year.
Accordingly, considering the production dynamics in January this year, it may be estimated that the production of finished steel products will increase by seven percent to 28.654 million mt, the output of crude steel will rise by eight percent to 32.102 million mt, while pig iron production will go up by seven percent to 27.527 million mt, all compared to 2009.
Meanwhile, the country's output of iron ore is expected to increase by 18 percent year on year to 77.288 million mt, while iron ore concentrate production is expected to rise by 16 percent year on year to 63.43 million mt.
It is also noted that the forecasted growth could be higher, as the production rates may increase due to improved supply of raw materials as well as due to higher demand for steel products.