South Africa's primary carbon and alloy steel product imports (excluding semi-finished steel, stainless steel and drawn wire) amounted to 67,293 mt in May this year, increasing by 39.6 percent compared to April, but down 48.5 percent from May 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 five months this year amounted to 393,333 mt, decreasing by 34.4 percent from 599,465 mt in the corresponding period of 2013.
Of South Africa's total primary carbon and alloy steel product imports in the first five months of this year, 322,200 mt consisted of flat steel products, down 30 percent, while 71,100 mt consisted of profile steel products, down 48.9 percent, both on year-on-year basis.