Ukrainian steel pipe production slowing, down nearly 15% in March amid Chinese dumping - association

MOSCOW. May 15 (Interfax) - Pipe mills represented by the Ukrtruboprom association boosted output 12.6% year-on-year to 142,500 tonnes of steel pipes in Q1 2023.

Ukrainian media reported, quoting by the association's figures, that pipe production rose 74.4% year-on-year to 52,500 tonnes in January and 5.1% to 41,400 tonnes in February but fell 14.9% to 48,600 tonnes in March.

Nearly all pipe mills raised output in Q1: Interpipe Nico Tube and Trubostal increased seamless pipe production 11.5% and 75%, respectively, Centravis increased stainless steel pipe production 13.8% and Interpipe Novomoskovsk Pipe Works and Ukrtruboizol increased electro-welded pipe output 69.2% and 8-fold, respectively.

The Oskar production association reduced output 43.2%.

Ukrtruboprom chief Georgy Polsky was quoted as saying output grew in Q1 2024 from a low base last year, when power consumption by industry was severely limited. This caused production to grow on paper.

"In reality, pipe production is slowing down, and in March a decline of 15% was recorded. The main reason is a significant increase in imports of steel pipes from China at dumping prices thanks to Chinese government subsidies," Polsky said.

The Ukrainian steel pipe market needs protection from Chinese imports, he said.

Ukrtruboprom enterprises in 2023 increased production by 10.2% compared to the previous year, to 495,600 tonnes.