SHANGHAI, Jul 29 (SMM) – Strong domestic demand grew China's production of pig iron by 7.9% from a year ago to 404 million mt in the first half of this year, with output of crude steel and steel products rising 9.9% and 11.4%, respectively, to 492 million mt and 587 million mt, China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) said on Monday July 29. 

In crude steel equivalent, the first half of this year saw an addition of some 44.34 million mt in steel output, mostly consumed domestically as net exports shrank 70,000 mt from a year ago. 

The steel price index issued by CISA averaged 109.48 for the first half of this year, down 3.6 from the same period in 2018. 

Imports of iron ore slipped 5.9% on the year to 500 million mt in January-June, with import value rising 15.7% to $43.2 billion.