Ukraine issues latest iron ore export-import data

According to the preliminary data released by the Ukrainian Association of Ore-mining Enterprises, Ukraine increased iron ore exports by 3.5 percent year on year to 18.3 million metric tons in January-November 2006. In particular, during the period in question, the country exported 3.7 million metric tons of concentrate – up 18.4 percent, 6.7 million metric tons of sintering ore – up 11.1 percent, and 7.9 million metric tons of pellets – down 7.3 percent compared to the same period of last year. In November alone, Ukraine exported 1.6 million metric tons of iron ore, including 332,000 metric tons of concentrate, 618,000 metric tons of sintering ore and 649,000 metric tons of pellets. On the other hand, during the first eleven months of 2006, Ukrainian iron ore imports dropped 15 percent year on year to 1.9 million metric tons. Specifically, during the given period, Ukraine imported from the Russian Federation 1.1 million metric tons of concentrate – down 5.3 percent, 648,900 metric tons of sintering ore- down 10.8 percent, and 74,100 metric tons of pellets- down 68.8 percent compared to the corresponding period of 2005. In November alone, Ukraine imported 217,400 metric tons of iron ore, including 126,900 metric tons of concentrate, 80,500 metric tons of sintering ore, and 10,000 metric tons of pellets.