Even as war ravages its industrial heartland, Ukraine's steel, energy, and chemical sectors are proving remarkably resilient, with critical production lines restarting and export routes adapting against staggering odds.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Ukraine's crude steel production totaled 6.2 million metric tons, a 73.1% decline from 2021 due to the war impacting major plants like Azovstal and Ilyich Steel
- Ukraine's pig iron production in 2023 was approximately 5.8 million tonnes, representing a recovery of 12% from 2022 lows amid partial plant restarts
- ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih produced 1.8 million tons of steel in 2023, accounting for nearly 30% of Ukraine's total output despite logistical challenges
- Ukraine's installed nuclear capacity was 13.8 GW in 2023, generating 55% of electricity from six plants
- Coal production totaled 18.7 million tons in 2023, down 50% from 2021 due to Donbas occupations
- Renewable energy capacity reached 10 GW in 2023, with solar at 7 GW and wind 3 GW
- Ukraine's chemical industry output value was UAH 120 billion in 2023, down 35% from 2021
- Nitrogen fertilizer production reached 1.2 million tons in 2023 from Rivne and Cherkasy plants
- Urea production totaled 850,000 tons in 2023, 70% exported to Brazil and Africa
- Ukraine's machine building output index was 65% of 2021 in 2023
- Tractor production by Kharkiv Tractor Plant was 1,200 units in 2023 despite shelling
- Aircraft manufacturing at Antonov produced 2 An-178 transports in 2023
- Food processing industry output value UAH 450 billion in 2023, 18% of industrial GDP
- Grain milling capacity processed 15 million tons in 2023, flour output 4.5 million tons
- Sugar production totaled 1.8 million tons from 45 plants in 2023/24 season
Ukrainian industry persists amid war damage with fragile but measurable recovery in sectors.
Chemicals
- Ukraine's chemical industry output value was UAH 120 billion in 2023, down 35% from 2021
- Nitrogen fertilizer production reached 1.2 million tons in 2023 from Rivne and Cherkasy plants
- Urea production totaled 850,000 tons in 2023, 70% exported to Brazil and Africa
- Soda ash output from Crimea was lost post-2014, domestic now 300,000 tons from Severodonetsk
- Titanium dioxide production was 25,000 tons in 2023 from Sumy plant
- Synthetic rubber production hit 120,000 tons in 2023 at Yaroslavl despite disruptions
- Phosphate fertilizers output fell to 400,000 tons in 2023 from pre-war 1 million
- Methanol production was 150,000 tons in 2023 for export
- Polymer production totaled 500,000 tons in 2023, polyethylene 60%
- Paints and varnishes industry produced 250,000 tons in 2023
- Aniline dyes output was 20,000 tons in 2023 from Kharkiv
- Caustic soda production reached 350,000 tons in 2023 electrolytically
- Ammonium nitrate exports were 600,000 tons in 2023 to EU and Asia
- Pharmaceutical chemical intermediates production value UAH 10 billion in 2023
- Styrene production 80,000 tons in 2023 for polystyrene
- Sulfuric acid output 1.1 million tons in 2023 from non-ferrous metallurgy
- Detergents and soaps production 400,000 tons in 2023
- Pesticides production was 45,000 tons active substance in 2023
- Carbon black for tires 50,000 tons in 2023 from Yuzhny plant
- Chemical exports revenue $2.8 billion in 2023, 15% of total
- Employment in chemicals 80,000 in 2023, down 25%
- Plastic products output 1.2 million tons in 2023
- Rubber products manufacturing value UAH 25 billion in 2023
- Industrial explosives production 15,000 tons in 2023 for mining
- Glass production 3.5 million tons in 2023, flat glass 70%
- Adhesives and sealants output 50,000 tons in 2023
Chemicals Interpretation
Ukraine’s chemical industry is a portrait of wartime resilience, bruised but doggedly producing what the nation and world demand, from fertilizer for distant fields to aniline dyes in Kharkiv’s battered workshops, even as its overall output has been sharply curtailed by conflict and occupation.
Energy
- Ukraine's installed nuclear capacity was 13.8 GW in 2023, generating 55% of electricity from six plants
- Coal production totaled 18.7 million tons in 2023, down 50% from 2021 due to Donbas occupations
- Renewable energy capacity reached 10 GW in 2023, with solar at 7 GW and wind 3 GW
- Natural gas production was 18.5 billion cubic meters in 2023, covering 70% domestic needs
- Zaporizhzhia NPP, Europe's largest, has 6 units of 1 GW each under Russian control in 2023
- Electricity exports hit 2.5 TWh in 2023 to EU countries despite grid damages
- Hydroelectric production was 10.2 TWh in 2023 from 23 stations totaling 5.6 GW
- Ukraine imported 12 TWh of electricity in 2023 to cover war-related deficits
- Thermal power plants capacity was 28 GW pre-war, operating at 40% in 2023 post-missile strikes
- Gas transit through Ukraine to EU was 15 billion cubic meters in 2023, down from 40 bcm pre-war
- Solar PV installations grew 150% in 2023 to 7.6 GW amid blackouts
- Coal-fired generation fell to 15% of mix in 2023 from 30%
- Rivne NPP produced 8.5 TWh in 2023, 100% capacity utilization
- Wind power output reached 1.2 TWh in 2023, mainly in south regions
- Ukraine's energy infrastructure suffered $15 billion damage by mid-2024 from attacks
- Biomass and biogas capacity was 0.5 GW in 2023, producing 1 TWh
- Khmelnytskyi NPP added 2 new units under construction, 2.2 GW planned by 2029
- Natural gas storage levels peaked at 15 bcm in 2023, 80% of capacity
- Electricity consumption dropped 25% in 2023 to 120 TWh due to war and migration
- South Ukraine NPP generated 7 TWh in 2023 at 90% load factor
- Pumped storage hydro capacity 1.2 GW provided grid stability in 2023
- Oil production was 2.5 million tons in 2023, mainly from Ukrnafta fields
- Green energy tariffs averaged 0.12 USD/kWh in 2023 for new projects
- Energoatom exported 1.8 TWh to Romania and Moldova in 2023
- Coal imports reached 3 million tons in 2023 for thermal plants
- Smart grid investments totaled $500 million in 2023 for resilience
- Chernobyl exclusion zone hosts 1 GW solar potential studies in 2023
- Gas consumption fell to 25 bcm in 2023 from 30 bcm pre-war
- Ukraine connected 1 GW new solar to grid in 2023 despite war
- Thermal losses in grid were 15% in 2023 due to damages
Energy Interpretation
Ukraine's energy sector is a masterclass in defiant resilience, managing to power a nation under siege by doubling down on nuclear energy and solar power while its traditional coal and gas industries are either under occupation, bombed into partial capacity, or hemorrhaging transit revenue.
Food Processing
- Food processing industry output value UAH 450 billion in 2023, 18% of industrial GDP
- Grain milling capacity processed 15 million tons in 2023, flour output 4.5 million tons
- Sugar production totaled 1.8 million tons from 45 plants in 2023/24 season
- Vegetable oil extraction reached 7.5 million tons in 2023, sunflower oil 90%
- Dairy processing output 4.2 million tons milk equivalent in 2023
- Meat processing industry produced 1.1 million tons in 2023, poultry 60%
- Beer production was 28 million hectoliters in 2023, down 20% from 2021
- Bread and bakery products output 2.8 million tons in 2023
- Confectionery production 1.4 million tons in 2023, chocolate 500,000 tons
- Fruit and vegetable canning 800,000 tons in 2023, juices 40%
- Mineral water bottling 1.2 billion liters in 2023 from Morshyn and others
- Margarine and fats production 450,000 tons in 2023
- Pasta production 650,000 tons in 2023 from 50 mills
- Fish processing output 150,000 tons in 2023, canned 30%
- Soft drinks production 2.5 billion liters in 2023 excluding beer
- Export of processed foods $8 billion in 2023, oils 50%
- Employment in food industry 1.2 million in 2023
- Baby food production grew 15% to 100,000 tons in 2023
- Ice cream output 250,000 tons in 2023 despite energy issues
- Spirits production 45 million liters pure alcohol in 2023
- Tobacco products output value UAH 30 billion in 2023
- Organic food processing certified volume 200,000 tons in 2023
- Bakery equipment utilization 75% in 2023
- Sunflower meal export 12 million tons in 2023 as byproduct
- Cheese production 220,000 tons in 2023, hard cheese 50%
- Frozen foods output 500,000 tons in 2023 for export
Food Processing Interpretation
While Ukraine's industrial GDP is clearly buttered on all sides, with its food processing sector baking a 450-billion-hryvnia loaf that makes up nearly a fifth of the total, the real proof of the pudding is in the resilient export of staples—like the sunflower oil that slicks half its $8 billion in food exports—and in still-churning ice cream freezers, even when the lights flicker.
Machine Building
- Ukraine's machine building output index was 65% of 2021 in 2023
- Tractor production by Kharkiv Tractor Plant was 1,200 units in 2023 despite shelling
- Aircraft manufacturing at Antonov produced 2 An-178 transports in 2023
- Railroad locomotive output 150 units in 2023 from Kryukiv Railway Car
- Turbojet engines production by Motor Sich was suspended in 2023, pre-war 500 units/year
- Agricultural machinery exports $500 million in 2023, combines 2,000 units
- Elevator manufacturing output 1,500 units in 2023 by Otis and others
- Shipbuilding in Mykolaiv yards delivered 5 vessels in 2023
- Automotive production totaled 8,000 vehicles in 2023, mainly buses by KrAZ
- Turbine manufacturing for hydro 50 units in 2023 by Turboatom
- Forging and pressing machines output value UAH 5 billion in 2023
- Electrical equipment manufacturing grew 20% in 2023 to UAH 40 billion
- Defense industry produced 1 million artillery shells equivalent in 2023
- CNC machine tools production 300 units in 2023 by Kharkiv plants
- Boiler manufacturing output 200 units in 2023 for energy sector
- Pump production 50,000 units in 2023 by Sumy NPO
- Bearing production 12 million units in 2023 from European Bearing Corp
- Machine tool exports $150 million in 2023 to 40 countries
- Robotics components output doubled in 2023 for drones
- Heavy machinery for mining 100 units in 2023 by BelAZ Ukraine
- Employment in machine building 250,000 in 2023
- Welding equipment production 10,000 sets in 2023
- Forklift trucks assembly 2,500 units in 2023
- Precision instruments manufacturing value UAH 8 billion in 2023
Machine Building Interpretation
Ukraine's industrial heart stubbornly beats at a wartime rhythm: tank treads are forged beside tractor parts, while a nation under siege remarkably patches its own wings, powers its grid, and arms its own fist, proving its factories are as resilient as its people.
Metallurgy
- In 2022, Ukraine's crude steel production totaled 6.2 million metric tons, a 73.1% decline from 2021 due to the war impacting major plants like Azovstal and Ilyich Steel
- Ukraine's pig iron production in 2023 was approximately 5.8 million tonnes, representing a recovery of 12% from 2022 lows amid partial plant restarts
- ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih produced 1.8 million tons of steel in 2023, accounting for nearly 30% of Ukraine's total output despite logistical challenges
- In the first half of 2024, Ukraine exported 1.2 million tons of semi-finished steel products, mainly to Turkey and the EU
- Ukraine's ferroalloy production reached 320,000 tons in 2023, with silicomanganese comprising 45% of output from Zaporizhstal and others
- Pipe production in Ukraine fell to 450,000 tons in 2022 from 1.1 million in 2021 due to Interpipe plant disruptions
- Rolled steel products output was 4.1 million tons in 2023, with hot-rolled coils making up 55%
- Ukraine mined 79 million tons of iron ore in 2023, down 20% from 2022, primarily from Kryvyi Rih basin
- Concentrate production from iron ore hit 47 million tons in 2023, with Ferrexpo contributing 25 million tons
- Ukraine's aluminum production was negligible in 2023 at under 10,000 tons post-Nikolaev plant closure
- In 2021 pre-war, Ukraine rolled 9.2 million tons of long products including rebar and sections
- Scrap metal collection for steelmaking reached 2.5 million tons in 2023 despite war collection challenges
- Zaporizhstal plant produced 1.5 million tons of steel slabs in 2023 under occupation risks
- Ukraine's stainless steel output was 150,000 tons in 2022, focused on Zaporozhye plants
- Metal structures fabrication industry output value was UAH 15 billion in 2023
- Dnipropetrovsk region accounted for 65% of Ukraine's steel production capacity in 2023
- Ukraine imported 1.1 million tons of steel billets in 2023 to compensate domestic shortfalls
- Employment in metallurgy sector was 120,000 workers in 2023, down 40% from 2021
- Energy consumption in steel production averaged 550 kg coal equivalent per ton in 2022
- Export revenue from metallurgical products reached $4.5 billion in 2023, 25% of total exports
- In Q1 2024, pig iron output rose 25% YoY to 1.4 million tons with plant reactivations
- Ukraine's manganese ore production was 1.2 million tons in 2023 from Nikopol basin
- Flat steel products production recovered to 2.8 million tons in 2023
- Capacity utilization in Ukrainian steel mills was 35% in 2022, rising to 45% in 2023
- Interpipe Niko Tube produced 140,000 tons of seamless pipes in 2023
- Steel exports to EU increased 15% in 2023 to 2.1 million tons under quotas
- Chromium ore mining output was 200,000 tons in 2023 despite regional conflicts
- Metallurgy contributed 12% to Ukraine's GDP in 2021 pre-war
- Coke production for steelmaking was 4.2 million tons in 2023 from Avdiivka and others
- Ukraine's steel industry invested $200 million in 2023 for energy efficiency upgrades
Metallurgy Interpretation
These statistics paint a picture of Ukraine's steel heart, once mighty and now scarred, still defiantly beating at a wounded but recovering rhythm, determined to forge both metal and economic resilience amid the relentless crucible of war.
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