France's steel imports rose by 11.7 percent in April reaching a total of 1.303 million mt, according to the latest data released by the French Steel Federation (FFA).
During the month in question, French imports of long products increased by 14.8 percent to 350,000 mt while flats imports climbed by 10.7 percent to 953,000 mt. Imports from non-European Union countries almost doubled, rising by 95.7 percent to 92,000 mt.
Belgium was the main supplier of steel to France in April this year with 419,000 mt - down 3.7 percent from April 2006, followed by Germany with 274,000 mt - down 0.7 percent, and Italy which climbs to third place with 150,000 - up a strong 10.3 percent compared to April last year.
Meanwhile French steel exports also climbed up in April 2007, reaching 1,450,000 mt which was 102,000 mt higher than the same month last year. Longs exports in April this year increased by 27.2 percent to 384,000 mt while the flats figure rose just 1.9 percent to 1,066 million mt. Exports from France to non-EU countries in April saw a rise of 12.7 percent year on year to 133,000 mt.
Spain was the biggest buyer of French steel in April this year with 321,000 mt - up 17.6 percent year on year, followed by Belgium with 288,000 mt - down 16.3 percent, Germany with 244,000 mt - up 17.9 percent, and Italy with 209,000 mt - unchanged from April 2006.