Scrap exports from Ukraine reached a four-year high in 2025

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): In 2025, Ukrainian scrap metal exporters increased exports of strategic raw materials by 53% compared to 2024, to 448.68 thousand tons. This figure is a four-year peak, i.e., the maximum since 2021. This is evidenced by GMK Center calculations based on data from the State Customs Service.

Poland remains the main export destination. Over 12 months, 343.6 thousand tons of raw materials were sent to the Polish market, which is 76.6% of the total export volume and 38.2% more than in 2024. Another 48.44 thousand tons of scrap were sent to Greece (+41.7% y/y), 16.63 thousand tons to Bulgaria (+419% y/y), and 5.29 thousand tons to Germany (-18.9% y/y).

As previously noted by Ukrmetprom, raw material supplies to EU countries have in fact become a scheme whereby scrap exporters avoid paying export duties of €180/ton to the Ukrainian state, as Ukrainian raw materials are re-exported through EU countries to Turkey and India.

At the end of 2025, the Ukrainian government decided to restrict scrap metal exports temporarily until the end of 2026. According to Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, scrap metal is a critically important raw material for the Ukrainian steel and foundry industries.

In December, Ukrainian scrap metal companies exported 68.52 thousand tons of raw materials, which is 117% more year-on-year and 96% more month-on-month. This is the highest figure since 2021.

Revenue from scrap exports in December increased by 96.8% compared to the previous month and by 106.9% year-on-year, to $19.14 million. In 2025, the figure increased by 44.5% year-on-year, to $131.93 million.

In Q4, scrap exports increased by 50.8% y/y and 26.3% q/q to 136.84 thousand tons, while export revenue increased by 44.2% y/y and 22.8% q/q to $38.36 million.

 Courtesy: www.gmk.center