Iron or steel stranded wire and ropes market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The Russian market for iron or steel stranded wire and ropes was initially shaped by major state-owned producers like Severstal-Metiz and MMK-Metiz, which launched new production facilities and expanded product ranges in 2018-2019. This investment supported stable market volumes around 211-212 thousand tonnes. However, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains, causing import and export bottlenecks and pushing the market size down to 187 thousand tonnes.

Recovery began in 2021 as rising domestic output of conveyor and other industrial equipment boosted demand for steel cables and ropes. At the same time, sanctions on imported components from Europe and China accelerated production localization efforts, helping lift the market to 232 thousand tonnes. In 2022, further trade restrictions reshaped supply geography, but regional capacity expansion for import substitution, coupled with stricter product marking and certification rules, kept the market steady at 232 thousand tonnes.

Market growth continued thereafter, reaching 254 thousand tonnes in 2023 and 263 thousand tonnes in 2024. In 2025, however, production volumes dropped to 178 thousand tonnes, signaling a shift in supply dynamics.

Production iron or steel stranded wire and ropes in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

In 2021, Russia produced 236.4 thousand tons of iron or steel stranded wire and ropes, marking a 17.6% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 21%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 6.6%. The most significant drop occurred in 2020, with a decline of 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports iron or steel stranded wire and ropes from Russia

Exports in kind, t

Russia's exports of iron or steel stranded wire and ropes rose for the second year in a row. In 2021, export volume reached 63 827 tons, showing a moderate increase of 6.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 10.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 49 594 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 14.3%. In contrast, the biggest increase happened in 2020, with a jump of 21.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Russia's export destinations for iron or steel stranded wire and ropes were highly diversified. Kazakhstan accounted for 23.4% of exports in kind, Finland for 10.9%, and the United States for 8.0%. Together, these three countries made up only 42.3% of total exports, while the remaining 57.7% was spread across a wide range of smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Russia's exports of iron or steel stranded wire and ropes in value terms rebounded. In 2021, exports totaled 100.7 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp increase of 61.8% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value rose by 35%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 62.2 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 12.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

The country composition of Russia's exports in value terms from 2018 to 2021 was dispersed. Kazakhstan contributed 24.3% of exports in value terms, Belarus 8.8%, and Finland 7.6%. Combined, these three countries represented just 40.8% of total export flows, with the remaining 59.2% distributed among numerous other destinations.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021

Imports iron or steel stranded wire and ropes to Russia

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year decrease, Russia's imports of iron or steel stranded wire and ropes in volume terms increased. In 2021, imports amounted to 61 000 tons, which is 36.1% higher than the previous year. However, over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 14.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 5.2%. The lowest import volume was in 2020 at 44 814 tons, and the largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 25.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, three key markets dominated Russia's imports of iron or steel stranded wire and ropes in kind: Belarus, China, and Ukraine. Together, they accounted for 78.2% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Russia's imports of iron or steel stranded wire and ropes in value terms increased. In 2021, imports reached approximately 151.2 million US dollars, showing a sharp rise of 47.1% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 102.8 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 18.1% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, three principal markets—Belarus, China, and Germany—together accounted for 66.6% of Russia's total imports in value terms of iron or steel stranded wire and ropes.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021