According to the Ukrainian Coke Producers' Association (UkrKoks), Ukrainian steel producers who intend to increase output by 6%YoY to 16%YoY in 2011 AND may face a scarcity of coke due to the shortage of coking coal.
Accordingly in 2011 UkrKoks expects a sharp decline in coking coal production. Citing the country Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry, UkrKoks said that in 2011 Ukrainian mines are expected to produce 12.8 million tonnes of coking coal concentrate down from 17.5 million tonnes in 2010.
In addition, considering the steelmakers' plans to increase their pig iron output in 2011 by 6%YoY to 28.9 million tonnes about 24 million tonnes of coking coal concentrate will be required of which 11.2 million tonnes will have to be imported.
According to UkrKoks, the largest amount of coking coal concentrate that Ukraine can actually import is 9 million tonnes mainly from Russia and, thus, the coking coal concentrate shortfall in 2011 could amount to at least 2.2 million tonnes.