According to the data released by the Russian Federation's Federal Customs Service, in January-May this year,
Russia exported 12.8 million metric tons of ferrous metals (excluding
pig iron, ferroalloys and scrap) - up 16.2 percent, 6.9 million metric tons of semi-finished steel products - up 24.3 percent, about 3.9 million metric tons of flat rolled products - up 6.8 percent, 1.53 million metric tons of
pig iron - up 7.2 percent, and 394,600 metric tons of ferroalloys - up 41.3 percent, all compared to January-May 2009. Meanwhile, during the period in question,
Russia registered a 23 percent increase year-on-year in its
iron ore concentrate exports to 8.3 million metric tons and 69.4 percent growth year on year in its coke and semi-coke exports to 1.275 million metric tons.
On the other hand, in the first five months of this year,
Russia increased its ferrous metal imports (excluding
pig iron, ferroalloys and scrap) by 70 percent to 1.746 million metric tons, and raised its steel
pipe imports by 60 percent to 362,800 metric tons, both compared to the same period last year.