In October this year, China exported 4.039 million mt of finished steel, decreasing by 15.5 percent year on year, but up 5.5 percent month on month, as announced by the Chinese customs authorities on November 9. The year-on-year drop was slower compared to the fall of 30.8 percent recorded in September this year, signaling Chinese mills were more willing to export in October. Prices for Chinese flat steel products - HRC, CRC and HDG - were among the most competitive in the international market in October and firm demand from Asia (Vietnam, Pakistan and other importers) and South America also supported Chinese exporters.
In the January-October period of the year, China exported 44.425 million mt of finished steel, down 19.3 percent year on year, 0.3 percentage point lower compared to the decrease rate recorded in the January-September period this year.