In the first half of 2026, Ukrzaliznytsia lost a fifth of the cargo transportation of the mining and metallurgical complex. The main reason is a reduction in exports due to the European CBAM mechanism, logistics problems and weak demand in world markets. At the same time, the company increased tariffs for freight transportation, which, according to industry representatives, will only strengthen the negative trend.

Based on the results of January–June, the volume of railway transportation of mining and metals industry products decreased by 20% year on year – to 31.4 million tons. Iron ore transportation decreased the most - by 36.7%, to 16.7 million tons.. The lion's share of the reduction came from exports, which decreased by 31%, or 5.3 million tons..

The reasons for the decline in the industry are the decline in world prices for ore, weakening demand for metal products, logistics difficulties, energy shortages, as well as the complication of access of Ukrainian products to the EU market after the introduction of the CBAM mechanism.

A similar situation is observed in the cement industry: according to Ukrzaliznytsia, cement exports by rail in the first half of the year decreased by 44.6%. According to Valery Tkachev, Deputy Director of the Department of Transportation Technologies and Commercial Operations of UZ, among the main reasons are CBAM, rising prices for electricity and security risks..

Industry representatives warn: after increasing freight tariffs, the trend towards a reduction in transportation may only intensify.

First of all, this concerns the transportation of iron ore - one of the most massive cargoes of Ukrzaliznytsia, which is almost impossible to redirect to other modes of transport..

The industry notes that a further increase in the cost of logistics in the context of CBAM, high energy costs and restrictions on the European market could lead to an even greater reduction in exports, and with it the cargo base of Ukrzaliznytsia itself.. Thus, an increase in tariffs creates the risk of a further drop in traffic volumes and, accordingly, the carrier’s income.