In March 2025, square billet quotations from Russia’s Black Sea region increased by $14/mt, reaching $444/mt FOB. At the start of the month, the price growth for Russian square billets was supported by positive sentiment in global markets: Turkey saw rising scrap prices, while China experienced growth in finished product futures amid expectations of reduced steel production. However, in the second half of March, buyer demand weakened due to a lack of support from finished product markets. For ...

The European Commission (EC) is considering temporarily expanding access to the European market for certain types of Russian-made cast iron products. This applies to high-demand items such as cast iron drainage pipes, manhole covers, and plumbing fixtures. The measure aims to protect local consumers from price increases caused by U.S. import duties. The temporary authorization is expected to last 12 months, until April 1, 2026. It is worth recalling that starting in 2026, the EU will suspend ...