In 2007, Ukrainian
iron ore producers intend to increase
production up to 3.5 million metric tons, a large part of which is to be exported.
The favorable state of the international
iron ore market allows Ukrainian exporters of this material to expand the geographical structure of their deliveries.
Whereas in 2005 the greatest share of Ukrainian
iron ore exports were supplied to countries of the ex-Soviet Union and Eastern
Europe - in particular
Russia,
Poland, the Czech Republic, and
Hungary, in 2006
Turkey and
China significantly increased their imports from
Ukraine (to about 500,000 metric tons and 1.4 million metric tons respectively). Meanwhile, Ukrainian
iron ore exports to
Russia practically ceased in 2006.
Judging by developments in 2006, market experts believe that in 2007 the targeted markets for Ukrainian
iron ore exports will be those of the European Union - in particular
Germany and
Italy, the Asian markets - in particular
China and
India, and also
Turkey.