Russian non-ferrous exports seen down until 2012

MOSCOW, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Russian non-ferrous metals exports are likely to keep declining in the next two years due to a fall in demand caused by the global economic crisis, the Economy Ministry said in a report. "Export supplies of non-ferrous metals will reach pre-crisis levels only in 2012," the ministry said in the report, seen by Reuters on Friday. Export of aluminium and its products would reach 3.830 million tonnes in 2012, compared with 3.804 million in 2008, the ministry said. Exports of nickel and its products would reach 265,000 tonnes in 2012 compared with 225,000 tonnes in 2008. The ministry did not provide forecasts for other non-ferrous metals. Most of Russia's aluminium, including all of its primary aluminium, is produced by United Company RUSAL. Most of its nickel is produced by Norilsk Nickel. Both companies are the world's largest producers of their respective metals.