Taiwan Steel Import Statistics, February’19

According to the recent data released by World Steel Association (WSA), Taiwan’s crude steel output in Feb’19 witnessed at 1.82 MnT, down 9% as against 2.01 MnT in Jan’19. Also Taiwan’s Feb’19 output recorded 23% rise on yearly basis against Feb’18 at 1.48 MnT.

Taiwan Iron ore imports down amid supply constraints from Australia. The nations iron ore imports dropped 20% in Feb’19 to 1.86 MnT as against being 2.33 MnT in Jan’19. On yearly basis, imports increased 36% as compared to Feb’18 imports at 1.37 MnT.

Australia and Brazil are the major Iron ore suppliers to Taiwan. Imports from Australia for the month of Feb’19 fell by 12% to 1.44 MnT against 1.64 MnT in Jan’19 due to Vale, dam mishap in Jan’19 leading to global supply shortage.

Taiwan’s import from Brazil fell 62% for Feb’19 to 0.21 MnT as against 0.55 MnT in Jan’19.

Taiwan coal imports have decreased 12% on the month to 3.94 MnT in Feb’19, following a decline in coal shipments from its major coal suppliers.

Notably, it was the first time that the country’s imports had fallen below the 4 MnT mark since Jan 2010 (the period from which SteelMint has started tracking Taiwan’s coal imports).

Coal supplies from Taiwan’s chief exporters, Australia and Indonesia had fallen 28% and 53% M-o-M respectively; while no coal shipments were recorded from South Africa in Feb’19.

Taiwan scrap imports drop 3 year low in Feb’19 – Taiwan imported 142,778 MT ferrous scrap in Feb ‘19, down 44% M-o-M as against 258,324 MT ferrous scrap in Jan’19, the recent customs data showed. On yearly premises, the country witnessed a noteworthy fall of 27% Y-o-Y in scrap imports as against 195,155 MT ferrous scrap in Feb’18. Low finish steel demand and decline in finish flat and finish long exports could have kept steel mills away from buying bulk scrap in Jan-Feb’19.

USA, despite being the largest supplier, exported 63,451 MT in Feb’19, down 58% M-o-M followed by other prominent suppliers were Japan (15,787 MT, +24% M-o-M), Hong Kong (17,772 MT, -35% M-o-M), Costa Rica (9,443 MT) and Dominican Republic (8,653 MT).

Taiwan billet imports plunged by 76.9% M-o-M-The nation has imported about 58,450 MT Billet in Feb’19 against 253,277 MT in Jan’19. On yearly basis imports fall by 75.2% against 235,525 MT in Feb’18.

The major imports was reported from Japan & approximately 48% (28,131 MT) and rest quantities being imported from Russia, Vietnam & China. However imports from Japan fall around 43% & Russia by 88%.

In CY19 (Jan-Feb), the nation has imported about 311,727 MT Billet. Russia was the major billet exporter to Taiwan which exported about 193,109 MT (61.95%) in the first two month of CY19. Inline Japan exported around 77,528 MT.

Taiwan Ferro Alloys imports fall by 61% in Feb’19 as compared to the previous month. Imports were low due to the Lunar Festivals, as most of the producers were self sufficient with their inventory levels. Imports of Ferro Chrome were lowered down to 8,938 MT from 22,584 MT which accounted for 60% downfall. Ferro Manganese and Ferro Silicon also faced major decrease in the imports by 72% and 56% respectively. Moreover, Silico manganese imports were also down by 47%. Meanwhile, the imports were comparatively very low against previous year same period.

Source: SteelMint Stats.
Quantity in MT