Imports of stainless steel is recovering

According to Spetsstal’s appraisal, imports of stainless steel to Russia in Q1-Q3 2015, if compared to the same period of 2014, fell 14.2% to 167,208 tons.
Imports of stainless steel flats fell 10.6% to 126814 tons, longs – by 31.0% to 15822 tons, seamless pipes – by  30.4% to 7227 tons, welded tubes - by 0.4% to 9402 tons, fittings/flanges - by 41.9% to 2476 tons and slabs/ingots - by 50.1% to 1280 tons. Only imports of wire increase by 22.0% to 4187 tons.
In Q1-Q3 2015, as compared with 2014, stainless steel products were imported from 46 countries (Q1-Q3 2014 - 41) for the amount of 513.72 million US dollars (USD 659.16 Mill. ).
The following countries took a leadership in stainless steel supplies to Russia: China with a share of 20.4% out of the whole imports (in Q1-Q3 2014 – 14.0%), Taiwan - 18.1% (15.5%), Ukraine - 8.3% (9.6%), India – 7.2% (14.3%) and  South Africa - 6.6% (7.3%).
Out of the top 5 countries, only China increased stainless steel supplies to Russia by 25.5% to 30216 tons.
Other countries decreased their stainless steel exports to Russia: Taiwan - by 0.2% to 30216 tons, Ukraine - by 26.5% to 13818 tons, India - by 57.0% to 11959 tons and South Africa - 22.2% to 11119 tons.

The most comprehensive analysis and outlook for the Russian stainless steel market will be presented at the upcoming 10th International conference 'Stainless Steel Price - 2016' which will be held in Moscow on 25 February 2016.