MOSCOW (MRC) - Russia's imports of suspension polyvinyl chloride (SPVC) fell by almost 13 times to about 7,600 tonnes in the first five months of the year. At the same time SPVC exports from Russia increased to 16,200 tonnes, as per MRC DataScope.
May SPVC imports into Russia seasonally increased three times compared with the April level, and reached about 4,500 tonnes. Russia's SPVC imports decreased to 7,600 tonnes in January-May 2015, compared with 97,400 tonnes over the same period in 2014. Export sales of Russian PVC for the first five months reached 16,200 tonnes.
The bulk of SPVC imports in May occurred for the producers from China. Thus, the supply of acetylene PVC rose to 3,300 tonnes against 900 tonnes in April. Russia's imports of European PVC were 845 tonnes in May, compared with 400 tonnes in April. Imports of US PVC into Russia have not been done since December 2014.
PVC imports are expected to decrease in June because of the weakening of the rouble against the dollar. The devaluation of the rouble by 10% made import purchases unprofitable in foreign markets, including China.
The growing demand for PVC in the local market in the past two months has made Russian producers cut export sales. In addition, the May strengthening of the rouble against the dollar has reduced the attractiveness of exports for local producers.
May SPVC exports (excluding exports to Russia) from the country were about 750 tonnes, compared with 1,600 tonnes in April. Total exports of SPVC from Russia reached 16,200 tonnes in the first five months of the year, while last year the figure was about 1,700 tonnes in the same time a year ago.
MRC