Coiled metal that will be stamped into coin blanks at the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania branch of the United States Mint on November 5, 2013. (Xinhua/SIPA)

KIEV, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine's metallurgical sector has plunged into recession mainly due to the crisis in the eastern region of Donbas, the association of metallurgical companies said on Thursday.

Last year, the output of steel, one of the main exports items of Ukraine, fell by 12 percent, while the production of pig iron and rolled metal was down by 15 percent and 14 percent respectively, the association Ukrmetallurgprom said on Facebook.

The seizure of the Ukrainian enterprises by the pro-independence rebels in Donbas was the main reason for the decline. Other factors behind the recession were the falling prices for metallurgical products on the global market and logistic problems, it said.

In March, insurgents took over the Kiev-controlled businesses operating in the rebel-held territory after a group of Ukrainian activists blocked the movements of trains transporting coal and other raw products from non-government controlled areas.

In 2016, Ukraine's metallurgical industry has recovered from a two-year recession, with all three key branches showing a growth of between 5.5 percent and 7.8 percent.

Metallurgy generates more than 20 percent of Ukraine's exports revenues and provides about 300,000 jobs.