According to local media reports, Alexey Sentyurin, president of the Russian Steel Association, said that the country's steel exports are projected to grow by 19 percent in 2025, reaching approximately 24 million tons, compared with 20 million tons in 2024.
The upward revision follows the lifting of export duties since January, which has made Russian steel more competitive abroad. At the beginning of the year, the association predicted growth of only 2.5 percent, but the improvement in foreign trade conditions caused a significant adjustment.
Falling domestic demand
According to the association, while exports are strengthening, the prospects for domestic consumption have become noticeably weaker. The Association confirmed its forecast that steel demand in Russia will fall by 14 percent, or 6 million tons, to 38 million tons in 2025, the lowest level since 2011.
The decline reflects the continued slowdown in steel consumption in key industries, led by the automotive industry with a 36.4 percent drop, mechanical engineering with a 30 percent drop, the energy sector with a 19.4 percent drop, and the construction sector with a 10.5% decline.
Production forecastTotal steel production in Russia is expected to decrease from 61 million tons in 2024 to 58 million tons in 2025. The Association attributes this decline to a reduction in domestic demand and the priority of export-oriented production chains.
