India’s steel imports from April to September were led by China, with the country remaining a net importer, according to provisional government data, Reuters reported.
India imported 4.7 mln tons of finished steel during this period, up 42.2pct from the previous year. HRC accounted for 44pct of these imports.
China exported 1.4 mln tons of steel to India, a 36.7pct increase YoY. The shipments included stainless steel, HRC, plates, galvanized steel, electrical sheets, pipes, bars, and rods.
In addition to China, imports also rose from South Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. South Korea exported 1.2 mln tons, up 11.5pct from last year, while Japan’s exports surged to 1.1 mln tons, more than doubling from the previous year. Vietnam’s exports more than doubled to 0.4 mln tons.
Finished steel exports from India during the same period totaled 2.3 mln tons, a decline of 35.9pct. Italy was the largest export market, but shipments dropped 43.5pct to 0.4 mln tons. Exports to Belgium, Nepal, and Spain also decreased.
India’s crude steel production rose 3.6pct YoY to 72.8 mln tons, while finished steel production increased by 4.7pct to 70.6 mln tons. Finished steel consumption reached 72.7 mln tons, up 13.5pct.
