Nepal billet imports from India dropped further was recorded at three-months low in Mar’20, as per customs data maintained with SteelMint.
The nation has imported about 97,866 MT billet in Mar’20, drop slightly by 4.7% M-o-M and also it lowest since Dec’19.
However, sponge iron imports up by 17.4% M-o-M with 26,228 MT in Mar’20.
In context to Finished steel products, Flat steel imports declined by 9.4% M-o-M to 52,624 MT against 58,114 MT in Feb’20. Major share comprised of HRC/Plate up to 35,210 MT & CRC at 10,236 MT.
Although, Finish long steel imports increased by 9.2% M-o-M to 33,353 MT in Mar’20; consisting wire rod about 21,575 MT and structure 11,778 MT.
Steel Mills Suspend Operations
Nepal- India’s largest importer of billets & wire rod, has announced a lock down due to COVID-19 outbreak. As per sources report to SteelMint, the steel industries in Nepal have suspended operations till 31st Mar’20, following government orders. Further, the sources believe that the Nepal government may extend lock down.
In addition, Local transportation & banks will also remain closed, which may impact fresh deals of Indian exporters. Thus, imports of steel products in Nepal are expected to remain down trend.
Nepal imports nearly 1.0-1.2 MnT billets, 0.20-0.25 MnT wire rod & about 0.6 flat steel from India annually.
| Nepal Import | ||||||
| Commodity | Sub Commodity | March’20 | February’20 | % Change M-o-M | March’19 | % Change Y-o-Y |
| Semi Finish | Billet | 97,866 | 1,02,654 | -4.7 | 71,523 | 36.83 |
| Sponge Iron | 26,228 | 22,334 | 17.4 | 8,439 | 210.79 | |
| Total Semi Finish | 1,24,094 | 1,24,987 | -0.7 | 79,962 | 55.19 | |
| Finish Flat | HRC/Plate | 35,210 | 39,465 | -10.8 | 25,899 | 35.95 |
| CRC | 10,236 | 10,783 | -5.1 | 9,730 | 5.20 | |
| Others | 3,918 | 5,965 | -34.3 | 584 | 570.45 | |
| Galvanised Steel | 1,636 | 1,301 | 25.8 | 2,178 | -24.88 | |
| Electrical Steel | 1,623 | 600 | 170.6 | 106 | 1432.46 | |
| Total Finish Flat | 52,624 | 58,114 | -9.4 | 38,498 | 36.69 | |
| Finish Long | Wire Rod | 21,575 | 22,707 | -5.0 | 31,125 | -30.68 |
| Structure | 11,778 | 7,824 | 50.5 | 2,856 | 312.44 | |
| Total Finish Long | 33,353 | 30,531 | 9.2 | 33,981 | -1.85 | |
Qty in MT
Source : Custom
March’20 = Mid Feb’20 to Mid March’20
Feb’20 = Mid Jan’20 to Mid Feb’20
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