China Stainless Output Dips, Imports Jump 59% in July

The Stainless Steel Branch of the China Iron and Steel Association recently released data on China's stainless steel crude output, imports, exports, and apparent consumption for July. Overall, stainless steel output for the month saw a slight month-over-month decline, while imports rose significantly year-over-year. Exports fell both month-over-month and year-over-year, and apparent consumption increased slightly month-over-month.

In terms of production, China's crude stainless steel output in July totaled 3.6271 million metric tons, a 0.60% decrease from the previous month. Of this, Cr-Ni series stainless steel production amounted to 1.8760 million metric tons, down 98,300 metric tons (4.98%) month-on-month; Cr-Mn stainless steel production totaled 1.0285 million metric tons, an increase of 79,300 metric tons month-over-month, or 8.35%; Cr-based stainless steel production totaled 671,800 metric tons, a decrease of 2,800 metric tons month-over-month, or 0.42%; and duplex stainless steel production totaled 50,846 metric tons, a decrease of 155 metric tons year-over-year, or 0.30%.

In terms of imports and exports, China's stainless steel imports in July totaled 116,400 metric tons, a decrease of 3,800 metric tons (3.16%) from the previous month, but an increase of 43,400 metric tons (59.45%) year-over-year; exports totaled 391,400 metric tons, a decrease of 51,700 metric tons (13.21%) from the previous month and a decrease of 24,900 metric tons (6.00%) year-over-year. From January through July, China's total stainless steel imports amounted to 871,200 metric tons, a decrease of 29,300 metric tons, or 3.25%, year-on-year; total exports amounted to 2,449,800 metric tons, a decrease of 466,500 metric tons, or 16.00%, year-on-year. In July, China's total net exports of stainless steel amounted to 275,000 metric tons, a decrease of 68,200 metric tons year-on-year, or 19.87%; from January through July, total net exports totaled 1,578,600 metric tons, a decrease of 437,300 metric tons year-on-year, or 21.69%.

In terms of apparent consumption, China's apparent consumption of stainless steel in July stood at 3.0073 million metric tons, an increase of 29,200 metric tons from the previous month, representing a 0.98% rise.

The data indicates that in July, the stainless steel market saw a slight decline in production, a year-over-year increase in imports, pressure on exports, and a modest rebound in apparent consumption, with net exports contracting significantly year over year.

Tags: Stainless steel crude output,  stainless steel imports and exports,  Cr-Ni stainless steel,  Cr-Mn stainless steel,  Cr stainless steel,  duplex stainless steel,  net exports,