Russian recyclers exported 4.73mn mt of ferrous scrap in 2020 against 4.20mn mt in 2019, according to Russian customs data. The positive dynamics were supported by better demand for the material mainly in the second half of the year.
Turkey was the main outlet for Russian scrap suppliers, with shipments to this destination increasing by 44pc to 2.54mn mt during the period under review. Russian export of the material to Belarus and South Korea dropped by 10pc and 12pc to 923,00mt and 596,000mt, respectively.
Russia shipped 25,000mt of ferrous scrap to Vietnam in 2020, while there were no exports to this country in the previous year, according to customs data.
In December 2020, Russian recyclers exported 536,000mt of the material, which was the highest monthly level for exports in 2020 and was 94pc higher compared to December 2019.