Steel scrap exports from Russia 2021, by country

The leading export destination of steel scrap from Russia was Turkey. In 2021, Russia exported approximately 1.7 million metric tons of that commodity to Turkey. Other major export partners were Belarus, South Korea, and Lithuania. In total, Russia’s steel scrap exports exceeded 4.1 million metric tons in 2021.

Steel scrap use in Russia

Russia is one of the leading consumer markets for steel scrap, or used steel and steel products crushed into scrap for recycling purposes, ranking among China, European Union (EU-28), the United States, and Turkey. In 2022, the country used over 29 million metric tons of it. Steel scrap is widely used in the Russian construction sector, in particular in rebar production and steel pipe making.

Ferrous scrap export restrictions in Russia

In view of rising prices and a shortage of domestic supplies, the Russian government raised an export duty on ferrous scrap from Russia to five percent but no less than 70 euros per metric ton in July 2021. Prior to that, the minimum rate was increased from 15 euros to 45 euros per metric ton at the end of 2020. The restrictions had a significant impact on ferrous scrap exports, which declined by 101 percent in April 2021 compared to the same month of the previous year.