Over the past week, inquiries for ex-CIS pig iron have started to accelerate as CIS-based market players have returned from their New Year holidays, while ex-CIS pig iron prices have increased by $10/mt on the lower end to $360-390/mt FOB. However, the higher ex-CIS pig iron quotations may not gain acceptance amid the declines in raw material prices and due to the downward pressure on scrap prices in the global market.