Russia's export revenue down 28.5 percent

The Federal Customs Service has reported the 28.5 percent drop, from $3.05 billion to $2.181 billion, in the Russia's export revenue in January-February 2006. Russia exported 6.56 million tons of ferrous metals, including 6.09 million tons to non-CIS states, in the given period, compared to 7.69 million tons, including 7.33 million tons to non-CIS states, in January-February 2005. Cast iron exports decreased 1.7 percent year on year to 943,300 tons in January-February 2006, while the sales revenue from them decreased 31.3 percent to $240.3 million. Exports of carbon steel roll dropped from 1.66 million tons to 1.48 million tons and revenue from them from $866.6 million to $528.8 million year on year in the two first months of 2006. Exports of semi finished products plummeted from 2.3 million tons to 2.12 million tons and the revenue received from them from $903.8 million to $602.8 million at the same period of time. Year on year exports of ferroalloys in January-February 2006 decreased from 2.3 million tons to 2.12 million tons, while the revenue from them rose from $142.1 million to $169.3 million. Exports from ores and concentrates rose from 2.7 million tons to 3.06 million tons, boosting revenue to $115.6 million in January-February 2006.