China exports a record 7.97mn mt steel in April, which is the country’s highest monthly export since December 2016. In the January to April period, steel exports rose to 25.65mn mt, up by 24.5pc from the prior year period, according to data released by China’s General Administration of Customs. Exports rose ahead of an anticipated cancellation of export rebates, which was implemented from May 1.
In April steel imports were 1.17mn mt, while in the first four months imports rose to 4.89mn mt up by 16.9pc from the prior year period. The average price of imports rose by 3.8pc to CNY7,611.3/mt ($1,179/mt).
Iron ore imports in April were 98.56mn mt, while in the January to April period imports rose by 6.7pc to 382mn mt. The average import price of iron ore was CNY1,009.7/mt up by 58.8pc;
In April, coal imports were 21.73mn mt, while in the first four months it rose to 90.13mn mt, a decline of 28.8pc. The average price of import fell by 6.7pc to CNY477.7/mt.
($1=CNY6.451)