According to the preliminary data issued for the first half of 2009, the Ukrainian steelmakers decreased their imports of iron ore by 19.8 percent to 1.711 million mt, while the Ukrainian mining companies reduced their iron ore exports by 12.1 percent to 10.193 million mt, both compared to the same period last year.
In June, Ukraine imported 437,540 mt of iron ore - down 9.6 percent month on month, including 435,650 mt of non-agglomerated iron ore - down 4.7 percent month on month, and 1,890 mt of agglomerated iron ore - down 92.9 percent month on month.
On the other hand, in June Ukraine's exports of iron ore increased by 13.8 percent to 2.131 million mt, including about 1.305 million mt of non-agglomerated iron ore - up 14.5 percent, and 826,330 mt of agglomerated iron ore - up 12.8 percent, all compared to the previous month.