South Africa's primary carbon and alloy steel product imports (excluding semi-finished steel, stainless steel and drawn wire) amounted to 55,207 mt in March this year, decreasing by 57.7 percent compared to February and down 39.5 percent from March 2013, according to the customs and excise data released by the South African Iron and Steel Institute (SAISI).
The country's primary carbon and alloy steel product imports during the first quarter this year amounted to 277,846 mt, decreasing by 8.1 percent from 302,307 mt in the corresponding period of 2013.
Of South Africa's total primary carbon and alloy steel product imports in the first quarter this year, 227,000 mt consisted of flat steel products, up 4.75 percent, while 50,900 mt consisted of profile steel products, down 40.54 percent, both on year-on-year basis.