Ukrainian sources have reported that last week three Ukrainian steel producers, Ilyich Iron and Steel Works of Mariupol (Ilyich), Alchevsk Iron and Steel Works (Alchevsk) and Zaporizhstal, petitioned the Ukrainian Antimonopoly Committee (AKM) to investigate an iron ore price rise performed by Ukraine-based steel and iron ore producer Metinvest Holding (Metinvest).
The three steel companies complained that, by increasing iron ore prices for domestic consumers by 65 percent as of April, Metinvest is abusing its monopolistic position in the Ukrainian iron ore market and their dependence on iron ore supplies as none of the plaintiffs have their own iron ore resources.
Meanwhile, Metinvest has stated that it believes the allegations from these three companies have no solid grounds.