Russia:supply forecast

摘要

Flats consumption shrinks on the back of decreasing investment activity, volatility of roubleexchange rate and weak effective demand. Producers of uncoated flats raise production ofhigh value-added products and increase investments into modernization of equipment aimed atimproving the product quality. Instead of increasing production capacities, steel works extendtheir ranges of products and steel grades. An increase in HDG and PPGI capacities on theback of demand downfall anticipated in 2019 will toughen competition of domestic suppliersand press imports. Restrictive measures taken by the EU and the USA strengthen competitionin the global market, forcing Russian exporters to look for alternative markets.