Eastern Europe

Donald Trump’s victory in the US election and a stronger dollar, which has traded above 105 roubles for the first time since March 2022, have boosted exports from Russia. Brass and aluminium alloy producers report that they are already accepting orders for January-February 2025.

With more active exports and the approach of winter, transportation has become a significant issue: there is a palpable lack of railway containers available for booking; the port of Novorossiysk is at limited capacity because of weather conditions; and truck deliveries will shortly become more challenging because of snow.

In Ukraine, the tightening of the geopolitical situation is adding uncertainty to factories’ planning. Several manufacturers have said that they are trying to plan their production for four weeks in advance and are cautious about future order books.

Complexities surrounding cargoes crossing the Ukraine border are deepening owing to another round of strikes on the Poland side.