China's crude stainless steel output in Q1 shrinks 1.51% on year: CSSC

SHANGHAI, Apr 25 (SMM) – China's production of crude stainless steel in the first quarter lost 1.51% from the first quarter of 2018, to stand at 6.43 million mt, according to data by the Stainless Steel Council of China Special Steel Enterprises Association (CSSC) on Thursday April 25. 

A lower output of chromium-manganese and chromium series stainless steel accounted for the decline. Production of chromium-manganese series lost 7.43%, or 162,700 mt, on the year to stand at 2.03 million mt. Output of chromium series shrank 14.32%, or 197,200 mt, and came in at 1.18 million mt. 

Production of chromium-nickel series accumulated 8.04%, or 236,500 mt from the first quarter of 2018, standing at 3.18 million mt, and that of duplex stainless steel grew 108.59%, or 24,592 mt, to register 47,239 mt. 

CSSC data also showed that imports and exports of stainless steel declined in the first quarter, compared with a year ago. 

Some 457,200 mt of imported stainless steel entered the Chinese market in the first three months of the year, down 26.38%, or 163,800 mt from the same period in 2018. Exports dropped 22.14%, or 226,700 mt, and came in at 797,300 mt, during the same period. 

Apparent consumption of stainless steel slid 4.63%, or 252,900 mt, from a year earlier, standing at 5.46 million mt in the first quarter.