Russia’s Stainless Steel Market: Q1 2025 Consumption Dips Slightly, Import Reliance Grows
Russia’s stainless steel consumption saw a minor decline in the first quarter of 2025, with total real consumption reaching 157,600 metric tons, down 0.7% year-on-year.
The data, released by the Russian Special Steel and Alloys Consumers and Suppliers Association (USSA), highlights shifting demand patterns across product categories.
Consumption Trends by Product Type
| Product Type | YoY Change | Key Insight |
| Cold-rolled sheet | -1.00% | Slight decline |
| Hot-rolled sheet | 1.90% | Moderate growth |
| Seamless pipe | -21.70% | Sharpest decline |
| Welded pipe | 4.90% | Steady increase |
| Billet | 47.10% | Significant growth |
Production and Trade Dynamics
Domestic production: 41,000 metric tons (-0.2% YoY)
Imports: 120,000 metric tons (+0.3% YoY)
Exports: 3,430 metric tons (+69.1% YoY)
Import Dependency Rises
Russia’s reliance on foreign stainless steel increased in Q1 2025:
Import share in total apparent consumption: 76.1% (vs. 75.3% in Q1 2024)
Domestic share: 23.9% (vs. 24.7% in Q1 2024)
Import Dependency by Product (Q1 2025)
| Product Type | Import Share | YoY Change |
| Cold-rolled sheet | 96.20% | -1.60% |
| Wire rod | 82.50% | 5.50% |
| Hot-rolled sheet | 80.50% | 3.20% |
| Seamless pipe | 63.20% | -11.00% |
| Welded pipe | 56.20% | 9.50% |
Mid-Year Production Update
June 2025 production fell to 20,100 metric tons (-12.6% MoM; -11.2% YoY), bringing H1 2025 output to 134,000 metric tons—a 10.4% decrease compared to the same period last year.
Market Implications
Domestic production struggles to compete with imports despite stable consumption
Growth in billet consumption suggests potential for future processing
Export growth, though from a small base, may indicate emerging opportunities
Tabs:Russia stainless steel, stainless consumption, cold-rolled sheet, seamless pipe
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