Welded circular pipes of iron or steel with OD >406.4 mm market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, production of welded circular pipes with OD over 406.4 mm increased from 3 144 тыс. т to 3 565 тыс. т, driven by capacity expansion at major plants and strong demand from state‑backed infrastructure projects in the oil and gas sector. In 2020, the COVID‑19 pandemic caused a drop to 2 534 тыс. т due to disruptions in logistics and supply chains.

Output recovered to 3 042 тыс. т in 2021 and peaked at 4 177 тыс. т in 2022. This surge was supported by ongoing infrastructure projects and the EU sanctions that banned exports of Russian steel pipes, prompting producers to reorient toward the domestic market where state‑led demand remained high.

From 2023 onward, production declined to 3 501 тыс. т in 2023, 3 175 тыс. т in 2024, and 2 201 тыс. т in 2025. The main driver of the downturn was the absence of new large‑scale pipeline projects and uncertainty over ventures such as ‘Power of Siberia – 2’, which led to underutilization of plants. Throughout this period, the industry continued to invest in modernizing production facilities.

Production welded circular pipes of iron or steel with OD >406.4 mm in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

In 2021, Russia produced 3,042 thousand tons of welded circular pipes made of iron or steel with an outer diameter exceeding 406.4 millimeters. This marked a 20.1% increase compared to 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, overall production declined by 3.2%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 2,534 thousand tons, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 3,565 thousand tons. The most significant drop in production took place in 2020, when output fell by 28.9%.

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

Exports welded circular pipes of iron or steel with OD >406.4 mm from Russia

Exports in kind, K t

Russia's exports of welded circular pipes made of iron or steel with an outer diameter greater than 406.4 millimeters declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, export volumes reached 352.0 thousand tons, representing a 37.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 64.7%, averaging an annual decline of 29.3%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Russia's export destinations for these welded circular pipes were quite diverse. Finland accounted for 16.5% of the export volume, Kazakhstan for 14.9%, and Bulgaria for 13.3%. Together, these three countries made up just 44.8% of the total export flows, indicating a broad partner portfolio.

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

For the third consecutive year, the value of Russia's exports of welded circular pipes made of iron or steel with an outer diameter over 406.4 millimeters declined. In 2021, exports totaled 387 million US dollars, down 37.3% from the prior year. From 2018 to 2021, export value dropped by 69.2%, which corresponds to an average annual decrease of 32.5%.

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

During the 2018–2021 period, no single market dominated Russia's exports of these pipes in value terms. Finland held a 19.0% share, Bulgaria 13.9%, and Uzbekistan 12.8%. Combined, these three countries accounted for only 45.7% of total export value, with numerous smaller partners each contributing modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports welded circular pipes of iron or steel with OD >406.4 mm to Russia

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes for these welded circular pipes showed significant volatility from 2018 to 2021. The highest import level was recorded in 2019 at 502.7 thousand tons, while the lowest was in 2021 at 14.8 thousand tons, representing a 34-fold difference between these years. In 2021, imports decreased by 26.9% compared to 2020. The most substantial decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 96.0%, whereas the largest increase was in 2019, surging by 1,015.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Finland was the dominant source for Russia's imports of these pipes, accounting for 80.1% of the total import volume. The remaining imports were spread across a wide range of smaller countries.

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

Market performance for imports in value terms exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. The peak import value was recorded in 2019 at 431 million US dollars, while the lowest was in 2021 at 44 million US dollars, showing a 9.9-fold gap. In 2021, import value fell by 13.1% year-over-year. The most significant decline happened in 2020, with an 88.4% drop, and the largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 369.7%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the main sources for Russia's imports of these pipes in value terms were Finland with a 56.5% share, South Korea at 15.6%, and China at 11.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for 83.4% of total import flows.

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

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