The government temporarily restricted scrap metal exports from January 1, 2026, as it is needed by Ukrainian enterprises for the production of defense, reconstruction, and domestic market products, according to agronews.ua.
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By the end of 2025, Ukrainian scrap metal exporters increased the export of this strategic raw material by 53% compared to 2024, reaching 448.68 thousand tons. This figure represents a 4-year peak, the highest since 2021, according to calculations by GMK Center based on data from the State Customs Service.
Poland remains the main destination for exports. Over 12 months, 343.6 thousand tons of raw materials were sent to the Polish market, accounting for 76.6% of the total export volume and an increase of 38.2% compared to 2024. Additionally, 48.44 thousand tons of scrap were directed 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 the Ukrainian Association of Metal Traders and Producers (Ukrmetallurgprom), shipments of raw materials to EU countries effectively became a scheme through which scrap metal exporters avoided paying Ukraine’s export duty of €180/ton, as Ukrainian raw materials were re-exported through EU countries to Turkey and India.
At the end of 2025, the Ukrainian government decided to temporarily restrict scrap metal exports until the end of 2026. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stated that scrap metal is a critically important raw material for the Ukrainian metallurgical and foundry industries.
“Despite the export duty, scrap metal exports were increasing – often in transit to third countries without creating added value for Ukraine. Domestic processing, on the other hand, provides jobs, tax revenues, and production necessary for defense and reconstruction. Additionally, using scrap metal in metallurgical production reduces CO2 emissions, which is important in light of EU requirements,” she commented.
“During times of war, it is important for strategic resources to work for the country, not be exported abroad. Licensing and quotas allow directing scrap metal for the needs of Ukrainian production, defense, and reconstruction. This means jobs, taxes, and finished products in Ukraine. This approach helps maintain economic stability during a challenging period,” noted Vitaliy Kyndrativ, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine.
During December, Ukrainian scrap metal companies exported 68.52 thousand tons of raw materials, an increase of 117% y/y and 96% m/m. This is the highest figure since 2021.
Revenue from scrap metal exports in December increased by 96.8% compared to the previous month and by 106.9% y/y, reaching $19.14 million. For the year 2025, the indicator increased by 44.5% y/y, to $131.93 million.
In the fourth quarter, scrap metal export volumes increased by 50.8% y/y and 26.3% q/q, to 136.84 thousand tons, while export revenue rose by 44.2% y/y and 22.8% q/q, to $38.36 million.