Compared to January, the amount of stainless steel products imported into Russia decreased by 37.5% to 21,718 tons. Import volume decreased by 52.7% compared to February 2022. Experts believe that the prolonged New Year's holiday period, the disposition of Asian suppliers, and the increased cost of freight are to blame for the sudden drop in imports.
Numerous Asian suppliers raised their export prices at the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023, which naturally made it more difficult for Russian importers to place orders.
Compared to January, the volume of imported stainless steel cold-rolled flat products fell by 28.7%, hot-rolled flat products by 48.1%, welded pipes by 25.0%, long products by 49.3%, seamless pipes by 55.4%, and wire by 53.8% in February 2023. Despite being only 28 tons, the volume of primary blank imports increased by 125.8%.
An analysis of the changing geography and medium-term prospects of imports from Russia will be presented at the 9th International Conference on "Stainless Steel and the Russian Market", which will be held in Yekaterinburg on April 6-7, 2023 by the Special Steels Association.
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