Taiwan Billet Imports Increased, May’18

Billet Imports in Taiwan rise by 16% M-o-M in May’18, country’s custom data reported.

The nation has imported about 327,137 MT Billet in the month of May’18 against 282,125 MT in Apr’18, incline by 15.95% M-o-M

The key attributes seen ( in May’18 )- Billet imports were recorded from Iran to Taiwan at 51,858 MT, while no major imports were recorded in the last month. Billet imports from Russia & China incline by 89.02% & 106% M-o-M in May’18. Inline it was also learned that billet imports from India increased to 14,767 MT, which remains nil from last two months.

While, on Y-o-Y in May’18 imports plunged by 13.64% against 378,800 MT in May’17. Inline, considering calender year 2018 (Jan- May), the imports down by 6.67% to 1,411,432 MT against same preceding CY17 at 1,512,311 MT. Japan remained in the top list of billet imports in Taiwan with an contribution of about 723,657 MT (51.27%); followed by Russia (322,482 MT), United Arab Emirates (106,400 MT) & Iran (103,361 MT).

As per the SteelMint’s assessment in May 2018, the crude steel production of Taiwan was around 1,715,000 MT and in CY18 (Jan-May) it was approximately 9,145,000 MT. Prior to this it was at 1,900,000 MT in May’17 & 9,225,000 MT in CY17 (Jan-May).

— As per the SteelMint’s assessment, the global billet export offer are hovering at USD 515-525/MT FoB China, USD 495-505/MT FoB Ukraine & USD 500-515/MT FOB India.

— Sources reported during the week Japanese billet was heard booked at USD 546/MT CFR Philippines.

— Taiwan’s ferrous scrap imports have hit almost 2 years high in May’18 & stood at 332,937 MT. The country witnessed a significant surge of 23% M-o-M as against 270,199 MT in Apr’18.

— Taiwan’s prices for importing containerised HMS-grade ferrous scrap fall by around USD 1-2/MT on weekly basis, price assessment for USA based HMS (80:20) are at USD 335/MT CNF Taiwan.