Russia's crude steel production in the first three months of this year reached 17.3 million mt, up 9.2 percent on the corresponding period of last year, according to Russia's Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat). In addition, Russian output of finished steel in the given period rose by 7.9 percent to 14.7 million mt, while production of cast iron went up by 0.8 percent to 12.1 million mt - both on year-on-year basis.
In the January-March period of the current year, Russia saw a 21.2 percent increase in its steel tube production to 2.6 million mt and a 7.55 percent rise in its iron ore concentrate production to 24.4 million mt.
On the other hand, the country's production of metallurgical coke went down by 0.1 percent year on year to 6.8 million mt during the first three months of 2011.
Market insiders are optimistic about market conditions with good prospects supported by rising demand amid growth in the national and global economies.