Ukrainian exports, imports of iron ore in H1

According to the preliminary data released by Ukrrudprom, the Association of Ore-dressing Enterprises of Ukraine, the country's export of iron ore increased 8.2 percent year on year to 9.185 million tons in the first half-year of 2006. In particular, during the given period, Ukrainian enterprises increased the exports of concentrate by 50.3 percent to 1.832 million tons, that of agglomerate by 11.7 percent to 3.616 million tons, but decreased the exports of pellets by 6.3 percent to 4.372 million tons. On the other hand, during January - June of 2006, Ukraine decreased the imports of iron ore by 23.4 percent year on year to 920,300 tons. In connection to the decrease in overall imports of iron ore, during the period under the consideration, Ukraine increased the imports of iron ore concentrate from Russia 10.1 percent to 619,000 tons, but decreased the imports of agglomerate 30 percent to 274,400 tons and that of pellets 88.2 percent to 26,900 tons.