Poland imports more HDG and less HRC from Russia

Polish hot rolled flat product imports fell -7% on-year in February to 237,745 tonnes, according to data from Poland’s Central Statistical Office (GUS) monitored by Kallanish. Their average value was PLN 2,354/tonne ($625) versus PLN 2,280/t in February 2018.

The most-imported product was unpickled HR wide strip of 3-4.75mm thick whose intake in fact grew 1% to 46,285t. Russia and Slovakia supplied 16,622t and 12,768t respectively. This was a -27% drop in Russia’s case but a 9% rise in Slovakia’s case. Ukraine also supplied over 5,000t compared to 666t last year.

Imports of unpickled HR wide strip under 3mm thick, however, fell -6% in February to 44,608t. Russia supplied 24,204t, down -1% on-year. Slovakia-origin supply fell -5% to 7,024t. Ukraine supplied over 4,000t versus 653t a year earlier.

Polish HR plate above 10mm thick imports fell -10% to 41,062t. Of the three HS codes in this category, 72085120 imports comprised 32,355t, of which Czech Republic, Denmark and Ukraine were the top three suppliers in that order.

In January-February Polish HR flats imports thus fell -6% on-year to 473,246t.

Polish coated flats imports, meanwhile, surged 28% in February to 191,427t. Their average value was PLN 3,401/t versus PLN 3,345/t in February 2018.

Hot-dipped galvanized coil imports comprised 104,028t, up 36% on-year. Germany supplied 35,096t, flat on-year, and Russia 14,557t, up 257%. Italy provided 10,423t, more than double on-year.

The next most-imported product was paint/plastic coated sheet whose intake surged 25% to 56,618t. Within this, HS code 72107080 comprised 54,813t, of which Germany and Italy supplied 10,566t and 8,096t respectively, down -24% and up 22%. There was increased intake from Belgium, India and South Korea.

Two-month Polish coated flats imports thus rose 19% on-year to 360,555t.