Russian flats producers have continued to mainly disregard export activities, mostly owing to better market activity and relatively high prices in their domestic market. Consumption is said to be at acceptable levels, while supply is limited due to ongoing maintenance works. As a result, the producers have even increased their offers for flat products for the Russian market in the local currency for October production. However, the US dollar price equivalents have indicated a minor change.
According to sources, the current local hot rolled coil (HRC) prices in Russia are at RUB 64,500/mt ($548/mt) CPT, up by RUB 1,500/mt ($4/mt) over the past month. Hot rolled sheet (HRS) in the local Russian market is available at RUB 66,000-67,000/mt ($561-569/mt) CPT, versus RUB 65,000/mt ($561/mt) CPT a month ago. In the export segment, the most recent medium-sized HRC sale has been traded to North Africa by one of the Russian mills at around $600/mt CFR, which is evaluated at around $545-550/mt FOB base.
Russia’s local cold rolled coil (CRC) prices have increased by RUB 2,000/mt ($7/mt) over the past month to RUB 76,500/mt ($650/mt) CPT, while cold rolled sheets (CRS) are generally available at RUB 78,000/mt ($663/mt) CPT.
$1 = RUB 98.08