According to the data issued by the Russian Special Steel and Alloys Consumers and Suppliers Association (Spetsstal), in March this year Russia's imports of stainless steel products increased by 29.6 percent month on month to 15,195 mt.
"The revival of demand in the Russian domestic stainless steel market, as well as the price increase in the international market, has encouraged importers to increase their supplies," reads Spetsstal's statement.
January 2010 (mt) | February 2010 (mt) | March 2010 (mt) | Change in March over February (%) | |
Flats | 6,052 | 8,310 | 10,677 | +28.5 |
Longs | 792 | 1,047 | 1,958 | +87 |
Wire | 162 | 317 | 229 | -27.8 |
Billets | 38 | 57 | 27 | -52.6 |
Seamless tubes | 579 | 810 | 742 | -8.4 |
Electric welded tubes | 380 | 1,187 | 1,562 | +31.6 |
Total | 8,003 | 11,728 | 15,195 | +29.6 |