South Africa Pig Iron Exports Fall in January 2018

South Africa pig iron exports decline by around 60,000 MT (66%) M-o-M in the first month of CY18, according to the South African customs.

The nation has exported about 30,000 MT pig iron during Jan’18 against 90,000 MT in Dec’17. United States (10,000 MT) remains the largest importer & has imported 46.07% of total pig iron exports of South Africa, inline Germany imported around 10,000 MT & rest of the material imported by South Korea, Netherlands, Thailand, Australia & India.

Further, on Y-o-Y in Jan 2018 exports registered a fall of 25% against 40,000 MT in Jan 2017. While, in the calendar year of 2017 (Jan-Dec) the nation’s pig iron exports increased by about 74% and are stood at 0.54 MnT which was 0.31 MnT during the same period in 2016.

— As per the assessment, it was noticed that United States was the primary destination of Soth African Pig iron exports since calendar year of 2010 & has imported 150,000 MT Pig iron in 2017 (Jan-Dec) against 90,000 MT in 2016 (Jan-Dec).

— Netherlands, the second largest Pig iron importer of South African Pig iron has imported 70,000 MT Pig iron in CY17 against 60,000 MT in CY16.

— Italy, the third largest Pig iron exporter to South Africa has exported 70,000 MT in CY17 against 40,000 MT in CY16.

Key Trade Updates

1. Pakistan continued to remain the largest importer of South African ferrous scrap & imported around 0.17 MnT during CY17. While in January 2018, 10,000 MT of scrap imports were recorded.

2. The global export offers of steel grade Pig Iron are assessed at USD 375-385/MT FoB Brazil & USD 385-395/MT FoB India.

3. South African coal export has decreased by 21.20% M-o-M to 6.17 MnT in Jan’18 against 7.83 MnT in Dec’17. South African RB2 (5500 NAR) coal offers are assessed at USD 79/MT on FoB basis & USD 93/MT CNF India.

4. Presently, export offers of iron ore lumps, Fe 64% are at USD 70/MT Richard Bay, FoB South Africa.