This was due to a 31% y/y decline in iron ore exports
In January–March 2026, freight volumes in the iron and steel sector fell by 14.7% year-on-year, or by 2.6 million tons, to 15.3 million tons. This decline was almost entirely due to a 31% year-on-year drop in iron ore exports, amounting to 2.6 million tons.
This was reported by Valery Tkachov, Deputy Director of the Department of Transportation Technology and Commercial Operations at Ukrzaliznytsia, during his speech at the “Ferrous steel industry of Ukraine 2026” conference, organized by Metal Expert.
He noted that cargoes from the iron and steel sector (iron ore, ferrous metals, coal, coke, and limestone for fluxing) account for an average of 47% of the total volume of shipments by JSC Ukrainian Railways (UZ).
According to Valery Tkachov, in the first quarter of this year, the volumes of iron and steel sector shipments were as follows:
- Iron and manganese ore. The volume of shipments decreased by 2.6% year-on-year – to 8.2 million tons. The main factor was a sharp drop in exports by 2.6 million tons (-31% year-on-year); domestic shipments also fell by 58,400 tons.
- Ferrous metals. The total volume increased by 0.1% year-on-year, or by 121,300 tons, to 2 million tons. Growth was recorded across all categories: exports (65,300 tons), transit (43,800 tons), and domestic shipments (17,000 tons).
- Coal. The volume of shipments decreased by 0.2% year-on-year, or by 178,000 tons, to 4 million tons. A significant drop in domestic shipments (733,000 tons) was only partially offset by a 554,700-ton increase in imports.
- Coke. The figure decreased by 0.01% year-on-year, or by 9,400 tons, to 0.4 million tons. The main decline occurred in domestic shipments (24,100 tons), while exports increased slightly (14,700 tons).
- Limestone. The figure increased by 10.8% year-on-year (60,000 tons). The positive result was driven by both domestic shipments (25,000 tons) and imports (41,000 tons).
- Ferrous metal scrap. The volume of shipments decreased by 0.1% year-on-year to 0.2 million tons.
“The main reasons for the decline in freight traffic are attacks on energy infrastructure facilities, which are limiting the production capacity of enterprises, as well as other operational challenges,” emphasized a representative of Ukrainian Railways.
The main departure points were the Zaporizhzhia-Liva station, which, with a volume of 790,000 tons, is nearly twice that of its closest competitors. Major industrial hubs included Kamianske (423,000 tons) and Kryvyi Rih (380,000 tons).
The main destinations were export routes—the Odesa-Port station (511,000 tons) and Berehove (226,000 tons). There is also active use of western railway crossings, such as Mostyska II (148,000 tons) and Izov (99,000 tons) toward Poland. The Port of Izmail — 96,000 tons — remains an important hub for Danube routes.
As a reminder, according to last year’s results, Ukrainian Railways’ export shipments of iron and manganese ore decreased by 5.5% year-on-year – to 31.2 million tons, while shipments of ferrous metals increased by 13% year-on-year – to 5.8 million tons.
As reported by GMK Center, in 2025, the Ukrainian iron ore market saw a decline in both production and export volumes. Production decreased by 3.4%, and exports by 3.3%. This negative trend intensified in the first quarter of 2026, when iron ore exports fell by 33.9% compared to the same period of the previous year.