Russian steel output jumps 20.6 percent in first half

Russian steel output jumps 20.6 percent in first half.

The Russian Federation's Federal State Statistics Service reported that Russia produced 28.4 million metric tons of finished steel products during the first half of 2010; up 20.6 percent from the same period last year. Russia also produced 4.3 million metric tons of steel pipes; up 43.1 percent, and 24.2 million metric tons of pig iron; up 23.2 percent, all compared to the first half of 2009. However, during June of this year Russia's finished steel product output declined by 9.4 percent, and its pig iron output dropped by 7.9 percent, compared with the previous month, May 2010. Russia’s pipe production increased by 7.6 percent in June, month-on-month.