The market for hot-rolled steel sheet may soften in Russia's Central Federal District around Moscow when flat steel producer ArcelorMittal Temirtau resumes shipments, sources told Fastmarkets on Tuesday April 23.
Kazakhstan producer ArcelorMittal Temirtau is the largest supplier of imported flat steel products to Russia. It ceased shipments after an explosion in a gas line in November last year.Fastmarkets' weekly price assessment for Russia-origin 4mm hot-rolled (HR) sheet was 43,000-44,500 roubles ($673-697) per tonne cpt Moscow on April 23, including 20% VAT."Demand [in the secondary market] continues to improve because weather conditions have finally become warmer and construction activity is gathering pace," one trader told Fastmarkets."Temirtau is resuming shipments to Russia, fulfilling old orders it was not able to complete due to the accident," the...