China’s net exports of stainless steel in Jan-Apr decline 6% on year

SHANGHAI, May 28 (SMM) – China’s net exports of stainless steel declined 6.13% from a year ago to stand at 596,800 mt in the first four months of 2019, lowered by materials from other countries such as Indonesia.

Customs data showed that China exported 298,600 mt of stainless steel in April, up 1.2% from March but down 20.59% from April 2018. Exports in January-April shrank 22.03% year on year, and came in at 1.1 million mt.

Imports of stainless steel dropped 77.01% from a month ago to 47,900 mt in April, with 8.76% originating from Indonesia. This was largely lowered by a drop in imports of plate/sheet coils, which shrank 81.36% to 24,900 mt.

Imports in January-April amounted to 498,900 mt, down 35.16% from the same period last year as fewer Indonesian materials entered China.

Some 259,600 mt of Indonesian stainless steel was imported to China in January-April, down 52% year on year.

Net exports of stainless steel in April stood 12% higher than a year ago, at 250,700 mt.