Poland is asking the EU for urgent intervention after Ukraine suddenly banned the export of scrap metal to the bloc, Business Insider Polska reported on Wednesday.
“The shortage of scrap metal could lead to higher production costs, lower competitiveness and a real risk of production cuts and job losses,” the Polish Ministry of Development and Technology told the publication.
In late December, Kyiv imposed zero export quotas for ferrous scrap, effectively blocking supplies of the key raw material for steelmaking from January 1, 2026. Ukrainian officials said the move was aimed at supporting the domestic steel sector in wartime conditions.
Poland is the largest buyer of scrap metal from Ukraine in the EU. According to the Polish ministry, about half of the country’s steel production comes from electric arc furnaces, which rely heavily on scrap metal rather than iron ore. Polish industry representatives say that local factories are currently facing rising raw material costs, while Ukrainian producers, who can now keep scrap metal domestically, are enjoying a cost advantage that could distort competition on the European market. Warsaw has said it is seeking to avoid a dispute. On December 18, 2025, before the restrictions came into force, the ministry formally called on Ukraine to refrain from imposing export restrictions that would harm Polish businesses.
The appeal, addressed to Ukraine’s deputy minister responsible for economic and industrial policy, reportedly went unanswered.
Poland has since appealed to Brussels, arguing that the issue concerns the EU’s general trade policy and risks fragmenting the single market.
“The Ministry of Development and Technology has asked the European Commission for urgent intervention to prevent the introduction of restrictions on scrap metal exports affecting EU member states, including Poland,” the ministry said.
Officials added that the issue would also be raised in upcoming bilateral talks with Ukrainian counterparts. The dispute comes at a delicate moment, as Ukraine remains heavily dependent on EU financial aid and political support, and Poland is one of Kyiv’s strongest supporters in Europe — militarily, diplomatically and economically. At the same time, the dispute highlights the growing tension between military industrial policy and EU market rules, as Ukraine seeks to protect strategic sectors while negotiating closer economic integration with the bloc.
Such tensions could intensify as Ukraine rebuilds its war-torn economy and EU industry faces rising costs, competition, and pressure to decarbonize.
