According to the data released by the Russian Federation's Federal Customs Service, in the first quarter of 2010 Russia exported 7.86 million metric tons of ferrous metals (excluding pig iron, ferroalloys and scrap) - up 26.7 percent, 4.426 million metric tons of semi-finished steel products - up 35 percent, about 2.224 million metric tons of flat rolled products - up 16.3 percent, 1.09 million metric tons of pig iron - up eight percent, and 237,700 metric tons of ferroalloys - up 33 percent, all compared to Q1 2009. Meanwhile, in January-March this year, Russia registered a 47.5 percent increase year on year in its iron ore concentrate exports to 5.326 million metric tons, and 7.8 percent growth year on year in its coke and semi-coke exports to 599,700 metric tons.
On the other hand, in the first quarter of this year, Russia increased its ferrous metal imports (excluding pig iron, ferroalloys and scrap) by 81 percent to 931,600 metric tons, and raised its steel pipe imports by 21.3 percent to 181,200 metric tons, both compared to Q1 last year.