Coking coal imports to Ukraine inch up 6% in March

Ukraine’s coking coal imports added 6% m/m to 690 kt
in March, according to Concorde Capital’s analysis of an Apr. 16 report by
Interfax-Ukraine, which cited Ukrmetallurgprom, an industry association.

In 1Q20, coking coal imports dropped 31% yoy to 2 mmt.

Recall, in April 2019, 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: The Russian
restrictions on coking coal exports to Ukraine seem unlikely to become a
bottleneck for Ukrainian iron and steel production in the near future.

Nevertheless, given the recent reports on the
coronavirus hurting production at various mining companies worldwide, it is
possible that Ukraine’s chronic reliance on imports of coking coal will become
a problem (insufficient volume, high prices) at some point during the pandemic.