Stalemate in the Polish-Ukrainian dispute over a key raw material. “Raises serious concerns”
In Business Insider, we described the Polish-Ukrainian scrap dispute. From January 1, 2026, Kiev has suspended the export of scrap to the EU, including to Poland. This is a problem for Polish steel producers who imported scrap from Ukraine – about half of the steel produced in Poland comes from electric arc furnaces, whose basic raw material is steel scrap.
Kyiv explained the blockade the desire to support and reduce the costs of the domestic steel industry.
The rest of the article below the video:
Talks with Ukraine without results
In mid-February, representatives of the Polish government and the steel industry met with the Ukrainian delegation, headed by Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kaczka. However, talks initiated by the Ministry of Energy and Technology did not bring any breakthrough.
Metalworks. Illustrative photo
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Panksvatouny / Shutterstock
— At this stage, nothing has changed – the de facto ban on the export of steel scrap from Ukraine is still in force. We currently do not have any information that would indicate a change in the approach of the Ukrainian side in this respect on plans to enable exports at a level similar to last year's volumes – admits Mirosław Motyka, president of the Steel Chamber of Industry and Commerce (HIPH). The Chamber took part in talks with Ukraine.
— We highlighted our concerns and indicated to the unfavorable effects of this decision for Poland – added the head of HIPH.
— Steel scrap is a strategic raw material. When we joined the EU, we could not unilaterally block the export of raw materials. Meanwhile, Ukraine has introduced a ban on scrap exports from January 1 – and at the same time it is lobbying hard for steel exports to the EU. Where's the justice? This is hitting the Polish industry hard and we are counting on effective intervention. Unfortunately, little has changed in this regard in three months – emphasizes Przemysław Sztuczkowski, president of Cognor, in an interview with Business Insider.
Government: unequal conditions of competition
We asked the Ministry of Development and Technology how the talks with our eastern neighbor are continuing. The Ministry of Tourism and Technology replies that the meeting was an opportunity to exchange opinions and provides grounds for further talks.
“The main topic of the talks, conducted in a format in which, in addition to government representatives, also participated representatives of the Polish and Ukrainian steel industry, there were zero tariff quotas for the export of steel scrap introduced by the Ukrainian government. The Polish side placed particular emphasis on the problem of unequal competition conditions between steel producers in Ukraine and producers operating in Poland and the European Union, which, in the context of Ukraine's rapprochement with the community, raises serious concerns. The meeting was an opportunity to directly exchange positions and created a basis for further talks,” we read in the response sent to us.
The ministry hopes that the situation will improve soon. “The fact of open dialogue gives grounds for optimism in reaching a solution. Another meeting is planned in the near future. During the talks, the Polish authorities will take into account the opinions of representatives of the domestic steel industry,” the ministry adds.
The European Commission does not react
At the end of January, the ministry asked the European Commission to intervene and prevent the embargo. — Poland also needs the steel industry as a key element in building our defense capabilities. I believe that Europe has made a huge mistake by allowing deindustrialization and a decline in production capacity, said Andrzej Domański, Minister of Finance and Economy, when we asked about the matter in February.
Currently, when asked about Brussels' reaction, the ministry gives a cursory response. “The Commission closely monitors the import and export of metal scrap. Import and export statistics are available and updated monthly, providing timely and transparent information on scrap trade flows. Poland will continue to raise the issue of the Ukrainian ban in contacts with the European Commission,” we read.
“The final impact on the level of steel production in Poland in 2026 will depend, among others, on the availability of scrap on the European market, the demand situation in steel-consuming sectors and the current economic conditions of operation of steelworks“- adds the ministry.
Grzegorz Kowalczyk, journalist of Business Insider Polska
