SteelOrbis Shanghai
In June, Singapore became the second largest importer of China's HRC (width above 600 mm), moving up from eighth place in May, with imports reaching 70,800 mt. This import figure represents an increase of 115 percent month on month and of 37 percent year on year. From January to June, Singapore's HRC imports from China totaled 196,400 mt, down 58 percent year on year.
South Korea maintained its position as the largest buyer of China's HRC in June, its imports totaling 584,300 mt, down five percent month on month but up 23 percent year on year. In the first half of 2008, South Korea's HRC imports from China totaled 3.91 million mt, up 27 percent year on year. Furthermore, Malaysia became the largest importer of China's semi-finished products in June, with imports reaching 16,100 mt, down 62 percent year on year. In H1 2008, Malaysia imported 69,200 mt of semi-finished products from China, down 61 percent year on year