In the January-November period of 2018, China’s stainless steel output amounted to 24.957 million mt, increasing by 4.9 percent year on year, according to the Stainless Steel Council of the China Special Steel Enterprises Association (SSC-CSSEA). It is expected that China’s stainless steel output for the whole of 2018 will amount to 27.0 million mt.
Meanwhile, in the January-November period last year, China’s stainless steel imports amounted to 1.754 million mt, up 72.6 percent year on year, while its exports totaled 3.723 million mt, rising by 2.9 percent year on year. It is expected that total imports and exports of stainless steel for the full year of 2018 will amount to 2.0 million mt and 4.0 million mt, respectively.
Apparent consumption of stainless steel in China in the January-November period last year amounted to 20.0 million mt, up 10.3 percent year on year. According to the SSC-CSSEA, apparent consumption of stainless steel in China will total 22.0 million mt for the whole of 2018.