The United States has doubled the purchase of uranium from Russia – Kommersant

The US bought 416 tons of uranium from Russia in the first half of 2023. This is 2.2 times more than in the same period last year (188 tons), calculated “RIA News” according to the US Statistical Service. The last time about that much uranium was imported from Russia was in 2005 (418 tons).

In monetary terms, uranium imports amounted to $696.5 million – this is the maximum value since at least 2002, earlier data by months are not provided. Imports in monetary terms increased 2.5 times over the year, the share of the Russian Federation increased to 32% (+13 percentage points).

Russia supplies the United States only with fuel enriched in uranium-235. RIA Novosti’s calculations also take into account data on imports of natural and depleted uranium, which the United States buys from other countries.

The US also buys uranium from the UK ($383.1 million, 18% share), France ($319 million, 15%), Germany ($277 million, 13%), Canada ($247.5 million, 11%), the Netherlands ($193 million). Deliveries increased from France (from $1.9 million to $319 million) and Great Britain (+28%) and decreased from the Netherlands (halved).

In 2022, the US reduced its purchases of uranium raw materials from Russia by 24% yoy to 4.78 million pounds of U3O8 equivalent. The decrease in deliveries, according to analysts, could be due to a sharp rise in prices and the specifics of shipment schedules for long-term contracts. US authorities considerthat bear the cost of over-reliance on nuclear fuel from Russia.

Read more about supplies – in the material “Kommersant” “Serious Uranus”.

Leonid Uvarchev