Ukraine expects production of 2.2 million tons of steel in July

Ukrainian steel production in July should remain at a high level of about 2.2 million tons, according to the country's metallurgists.

Steel production increased by 14 percent in the first five months of 2016 to 10.6 million tonnes, mainly driven by increased demand from the local market and exporters.

Prior to that, steel production in Ukraine in 2015 fell by 16 percent to 22.9 million tons, mainly due to the military conflict in the east of the country, where most of the country's metallurgical plants are concentrated.

Smelters expect pig iron production to remain stable in July at around 2.1 million tonnes and rolled metal output at 1.9 million tonnes.

Steel, chemicals and agricultural products make up the bulk of Ukraine's exports