Ukraine coking coal imports drop 23% m/m in November

Ukraine’s coking coal imports dropped 23% m/m to 670
kt in November, according to a Dec. 13 report by Interfax-Ukraine, which cited
Ukrmetallurgprom, an industry association.

Recall, in April the Russian government decided to restrict exports of coal, including
coking coal, to Ukraine starting from June 1, allowing such exports only under
permits issued by Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development.

Dmytro Khoroshun: Coking coal
imports seem unlikely to become a bottleneck for Ukrainian iron and steel
production in the near future. Rather, it is the dire situation at the world
steel markets that is limiting Ukraine’s iron and steel exports and production
volumes.

Nevertheless, Ukrainian export iron and steel prices
seem to have stabilized in early November, which might result in a rebound in
coking coal demand in 1Q20.