Scrap metal exports from Ukraine reached a 4-year high in 2025

In 2025, Ukrainian scrap metal exporters increased the export of strategic raw materials by 53% compared to 2024 - to 448.68 thousand tons, calculated by the MMC Center based on data from the State Customs Service. This figure is the highest since 2021.

The main export destination remains Poland. 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 compared to 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).
At the end of 2025, the Government of Ukraine decided to temporarily restrict the export of scrap metal until the end of 2026.  As Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko reported, scrap is a critically important raw material for the Ukrainian metallurgy and foundry industries.
“Despite the export duty, scrap exports have been growing – often in transit to third countries without creating added value for Ukraine. Domestic processing, on the contrary, provides jobs, tax revenues and products necessary for defense and reconstruction.  Also, the use of scrap in metallurgical production reduces CO2 emissions, which is important given the EU requirements,” she commented.
During December, Ukrainian scrap procurement companies sent 68.52 thousand tons of raw materials abroad, 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 the fourth quarter, scrap exports increased by 50.8% year-on-year. and 26.3% q/q, to ​​136.84 thousand tons, and export revenue – by 44.2% y/y and 22.8% q/q, to ​​$38.36 million.
Source: https://uaprom.info/news/eksport-brukhtu-z-ukrainy-siahnuv-4-richnoho-maksymumu-u-2025-rotsi/