Russia issues H1 2008 import and export data

According to the data released by the Russian Federation's Federal Customs Service, during the first half of 2008 Russia exported 23.328 million metric tons of ferrous metals - up 6.4 percent, 2.822 million metric tons of pig iron - up 4.1 percent, 382,300 metric tons of ferroalloys - up 4.2 percent, 8.628 million metric tons of semi-finished steel products - up 11.2 percent, 4.151 million metric tons of flat rolled products - up six percent, 11.211 million metric tons of iron ore and concentrate and 1.441 million metric tons of coke and semi-coke - down four percent, all compared to the corresponding period of 2007.
 
During the period in question, Russia decreased its ferrous metal imports by 25 percent and its steel pipe imports by 43.6 percent year on year, to 2.73 million metric tons and 529,600 metric tons respectively.