According to the data issued by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, in January-September this year, domestic consumption of rolled steel products decreased by 34 percent year on year to 18 million metric tons, supplies of Russian origin rolled steel products to the domestic market went down by 34 percent, while deliveries of imported rolled steel products declined by 50 percent, all compared to the same period last year.
During the first nine months of 2009, Russia's domestic consumption of steel pipes amounted to 3.8 million mt, showing a decrease of 37 percent compared to January-September 2008. Meanwhile, in January-September, supplies of Russian origin steel pipes to the domestic market fell by 35 percent year on year, while deliveries of imported steel pipes dropped down by 50 percent.
According to Ministry of Industry and Trade, the main reasons for the reduction of imports of steel products to Russia during the period in question included the decline of domestic market demand, the increase of import duties on certain rolled steel products and steel pipes from five percent up to a range of 15-20 percent, as well as the active efforts of domestic steel producers to strengthen their market positions.