Ukrainian steel imports threaten Poland’s domestic sector

Poland is seeking protective measures from the European Union to mitigate the impact of duty‑free Ukrainian steel imports on its domestic steel sector. Warsaw officials say the influx of cheap Ukrainian steel is threatening local producers, echoing similar protectionist efforts last year when Poland tried to shield its agricultural industry from Ukrainian imports.

Data from the Polish steelmakers’ lobby group HIPH show that imports of Ukrainian steel to Poland rose by roughly 50 % last year and increased by an additional 27 % in the first half of 2025. This surge has prompted local producers to demand government intervention. Deputy Development and Technology Minister Michał Barański warned that the significant rise in Ukrainian steel imports is exerting substantial pressure on the Polish steel industry and that the government is working with the European Commission to address the issue.

The Polish steel industry argues that Ukrainian products, which enter the market duty‑free, do not bear the same energy and environmental costs as their EU counterparts. The surge has been driven largely by reinforcement bars, a segment where Polish mills have a competitive focus. In response, the European Commission has proposed a long‑term mechanism to limit tariff‑free steel imports from all partners, including Ukraine, by imposing a 50 % duty on imports that exceed established quotas.

The pressure from Ukrainian steel imports is already affecting the broader Polish industry. Warsaw‑listed coking‑coal company JSW has reported five consecutive loss‑making quarters and may require state support. Steel producer Cognor Holding’s chief financial officer, Krystian Guniak, emphasized the need for immediate protection, citing the risk that the company’s new $217 million rolling mill could be idled because of cheap Ukrainian imports.

Poland plans to seek an EU ban on Ukrainian steel imports after completing a market analysis that documents the negative impact. The government’s efforts to protect its domestic steel sector highlight the significance of the issue and the need for prompt action to prevent further damage. The outcome of Poland’s request for protective measures will be closely watched, as it could have broader implications for EU trade policy and the steel industry as a whole.