According to the data released by the Russian Federation's Federal Customs Service, in January-April this year, Russia exported 10.33 million metric tons of ferrous metals (excluding pig iron, ferroalloys and scrap) - up 23 percent, 5.636 million metric tons of semi-finished steel products - up 29.4 percent, about 3.055 million metric tons of flat rolled products - up 16.5 percent, 1.316 million metric tons of pig iron - up 6.7 percent, and 318,600 metric tons of ferroalloys - up 39.4 percent, all compared to January-April 2009. Meanwhile, during the period in question, Russia registered a 39.4 percent increase year on year in its iron ore concentrate exports to 6.989 million metric tons, and 71.1 percent growth year on year in its coke and semi-coke exports to 1.062 million metric tons.
On the other hand, in the first four months of this year, Russia increased its ferrous metal imports (excluding pig iron, ferroalloys and scrap) by 74.4 percent to 1.331 million metric tons, and raised its steel pipe imports by 33.5 percent to 249,400 metric tons, both compared to the same period last year.