KIEV, Feb. 8 - Ukrainian iron ore miners and steel producers could boost output for core products at least 7%-8% in 2010, an Industrial Policy Ministry representative told Interfax, quoting figures from the Metallurgprom association.

If trends seen in the first month of 2010 persist, the country could raise finished roll output 7% to 28.654 million tons, crude steel - 8% to 32.102 million tons and pig iron - 7% to 27.527 million tons.

Pipe production could fall 18% to 1.28 million tons and hardware 30% to 159,000 tons, while coke production is likely to rise 3% to 17.896 million tons.