China exported 6.17 million mt of finished steel in May 2007. Rebars accounted for the largest share in this figure. Meanwhile, narrow strip exports registered the largest increase in the first five months of the year. Although the export quantities of most products decreased compared to April, May still managed to register the second highest monthly finished steel export figure in China's history. Meanwhile, finished steel imports in May were 1.38 million mt, down 247,362 mt from April.
Rebar exports in May were equal to 767,037 mt, down 132,580 mt from April. Nevertheless, the figure through January-May 2007 reached 3.39 million mt, up 239 percent from the same period of last year.
The figure for wire rod exports was also close to that for rebars with 709,635 mt in May, down 200,000 mt month on month. Total wire rod exports through the first five months of the year reached 3.05 million mt, up 71 percent year on year. Meanwhile, imports of wire rod in May were 51.796 mt, down 20,427 mt from April. Total imports through January-May 2007 increased 7.46 percent year on year to 307,389 mt.
Bar products, including hot rolled, cold rolled stainless, round and flat bars, registered 365,737 mt in exports in May, down 119,883 mt from April 2007. The total figure through January-May reached 1.59 million mt, up 196.5 percent. Imports in May were 29,716 mt, down 8,764 mt from April. Total imports through January-May reached 156,800 mt up 14.76 percent.
Exports of all sectional products such as H-beams and angles reached 600,556 mt in May, up 26,624 mt from April. Total exports of these products through January-May came to 2.37 million mt, up 222 percent year on year. Imports only amounted to 24,940 mt in May, down 7,044 mt from April while the total figure for the first five months was 133,812 mt, down 18 percent year on year.
Looking at flats, total flat product exports were 2.65 million mt in May, down 395,282 mt from April. Total flat steel exports through the first five months of 2007 reached 11.86 million mt, up 104.7 percent year on year. Total imports were 1.17 million mt in May, down 178,575 mt from April. Total imports through the first five months were 6.14 million mt, down 5.3 percent year on year.
Medium plate exports accounted for 403,848 mt of the total flat product export figure, down 95,483 mt from April. Total medium plate exports from January to May reached 647,552 mt up 292 percent. Imports were 77,307 mt in May, down 4,956 mt. Total imports in the first five months were 375,505 mt, up 37 percent.
Heavy plate exports reached 346,726 mt, up 58,549 mt from April. Total exports through January-May reached 1.16 million mt, up 217 percent year on year.
Super heavy plate exports in May were 89,058 mt, down 4,477 mt from April. Total exports through January-May reached 139,300 mt, up 140 percent year on year.
Hot rolled sheet exports were 93,958 mt, down 4,168 mt from April. The total January-May figure reached 447,800 mt up 69 percent.
Cold rolled sheet exports in May were 61,782 mt, down 2,714 mt from April. Total exports through January-May reached 311,313 mt, up 273 percent year on year. Imports in May were 49,743 mt, down 14,439 mt from April. Total imports in the first five months were 283,339 mt, down 8.13 percent.
Wide and medium strip exports reached 602,972 mt in May, sharply down 152,472 mt from April. Total exports through January-May reached 2.9 million mt, up 96.8 percent year on year. Imports in May were 121,791 mt, down 24,917 mt. Total imports in January-May came to 903,822 mt, down 26 percent.
Hot rolled narrow strip exports were 147,649 mt in May, down 9,508 mt month on month. Total exports through January-May reached 701,720 mt, up 305 percent year on year.
Galvanized and other plated sheet and strip exports were 395,278 mt in May, sharply down by 104,242 mt from April. Total exports through January-May reached 1.81 million mt up 124 percent year on year. Imports in May were 370,373 mt, down 47,652 mt month on month. The total figure for the first five months was 1.92 million mt, up seven percent year on year.
Color coated sheet and strip exports were 118,189 mt in May, up 20,320 mt from April. Total exports through January-May reached 387,488 mt up 220 percent.
Silicon steel sheet and strip exports were 21,087 mt in May, up 1,612 mt from April. Total exports through January-May reached 87,711 mt, down 5.7 percent. Imports in May were 84,800 mt, down 15,246 mt. Total imports in the first five months of the year were 444,484 mt, up 14.29 percent.
Seamless pipe exports amounted to 278,800 mt in May, down 93,657 mt from April. Total exports through January-May reached 1.52 million mt, up 89 percent. Imports in May were 36,850 mt, down 24,879 mt month on month. The total January-May figure was 444,484 mt, down 23 percent.
Welded pipe exports were 458,461 mt in May, up 46,138 mt from April. Total exports through January-May reached 2.01 million mt, up 101.5 percent. Welded pipe imports in May were 17,828 mt, down 3,007 month on month. The total figure for January-May 2007 was 85,165 mt, down 27 percent year on year.