China’s iron ore sales up in 2003
Based on the data released by Chinese National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), China sold 81.3 million tons of iron ore in 2003. The sales-production ratio was recorded as 100.8%. China's iron ore inventory reduced by 12.9% by the end of last year compared to the beginning of 2003. In 2003, country's pig iron sales amounted to 63.7 million tons while finished steel sales reached 234.7 million tons. Pig iron inventory increased by 30.9%, however finished steel inventory decreased by 0.9%. China's steel sales reached 54.1 million tons in 2003 while steel inventory soared by 14%.