Ukrainian Journal cited Mr Serhiy Hryschenko Deputy Industrial Policy Minister as saying that steel production in Ukraine will fall 18.9% to about 30 million tonnes in 2009.

He said that even the most optimistic forecasts do not foresee that steelmakers will manage to utilize more than 80% of production capacity.

Ukraine reduced production of finished roll, crude steel and pig iron by 13% in 2008, to 31.493 million tonnes, 37.107 million tonnes and 30.982 million tonnes, respectively.