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According to the data issued by the Russian Special Steel and Alloys Consumers and Suppliers Association (Spetsstal), in January-August 2009 Russia's imports of stainless steel products decreased by 50.3 percent year on year to 59,506 mt.
 
Accordingly, the main decreases were registered in imports of flats - down 56.9 percent, wire - down 54.1 percent, seamless tubes - down 45.7 percent, longs - down 42.2 percent, and welded tubes - down 28.4 percent, all compared to the same period last year. The only sector of stainless steel imports that saw a rise was slabs - up 4.7 percent year on year.
 
In August 2009, the volume of stainless steel imports to Russia decreased by 24.6 percent compared to July this year to 5,799 mt, which is the lowest monthly result registered in 2009.
 
According to Spetsstal, falling imports have led to a supply deficit of products for immediate delivery. The Russian domestic market is already experiencing a lack of supply of flat products of the main stainless steel grades.