Production shutdowns at major steel plants have led to a significant product deficit in the market
Due to the suspension of operations at ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih and Kametstal, rebar prices in Ukraine have increased by 30%. It is expected that the cost per tonne will soon exceed 50,000 UAH. This was reported by Metal citing NV Business, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
These metallurgical assets covered almost the entire volume of domestic demand, which amounted to approximately 1.1 million tonnes before the full-scale russian invasion. By the end of 2025, rebar consumption in the country reached 770,000 tonnes, and according to GMK Center, in the first half of 2026, the market capacity increased by 26% compared to the same period last year.
Metal product deficit and warehouse stocks
The current situation is caused by the forced shutdown of production facilities due to missile attacks. Since the companies did not maintain significant warehouse stocks, and the available volumes of 40,000–50,000 tonnes are partly already under contract, the market is facing an acute shortage. Experts believe the remaining stocks may last no more than a month of normal consumption.
Price dynamics and external factors
Rebar costs in Kyiv have shown a rapid increase: while in mid-August a tonne cost 36,000 UAH including VAT, by early October, the price reached 47,500 UAH. In addition to factors related to the shutdown of domestic producers, pricing has been influenced by a rise in the dollar exchange rate and an increase in FOB quotations in international markets.
Production recovery prospects
ArcelorMittal Corporation has decided not to resume operations at the Kryvyi Rih steel plant until the end of hostilities. Representatives of the construction sector, including Stolitsa Group, previously noted that the overall price of metal has increased by about 40% over the last year. Market participants state that the current rise in rebar costs is the result of a combination of both wartime conditions and global economic trends.
Illustrative photo: W.carter / CC BY-SA 4.0
Read also: Imports of long steel products to Ukraine rose by 46% in January–August 2026
