Taiwan Steel Import Statistics, Q1 CY19

According to the recent data released by World Steel Association (WSA),Taiwan’s crude steel output in Q1 CY19 witnessed at 5.86 MnT, up 2% as against 5.77 MnT in Q1 CY18. Taiwan’s Mar’19 output recorded at 2.03 MnT, 11.53% rise against Feb’19 production at 1.82 MnT.

Taiwan Iron ore import drops in Q1 CY19 amid global supply crisis: Taiwan iron ore imports for Q1 CY19 recorded at 6 MnT, down 10% as against 6.7 MnT in Q4 CY18. Australia marked the largest exporter to Taiwan for the quarter at 4.38 MnT down 5% on quarterly basis. Brazil stood second largest exporter at 1.19 MnT, down 18% Q-o-Q. Taiwan imports from Australia and Brazil dropped for the quarter amidst availability crisis. Vale dam disaster in Brazil and Cyclone in Australia hindered exports from the countries for the quarter.

On yearly basis, Taiwan imports picked up 4% as compared to 5.78 MnT in Q1 CY18.

On monthly basis, imports fell marginally to 1.81 MnT in Mar’19 as against 1.86 MnT in Feb’19. Australia marked largest exporter at 1.3 MnT followed by Brazil at 0.43 MnT and Canada at 0.08 MnT.

Taiwan coal imports have noted an increase of 6% Y-o-Y to 15.86 MnT during the first quarter of CY19 (Jan’19-Mar’19) period as compared with 14.98 MnT in the corresponding period of CY18.

Taiwan’s import volumes had however come down 9% Q-o-Q from 17.44 MnT in Q4 CY18.

Taiwan’s coal sourcing had seen a change over the course the course of time, wherein intake from Australia and Indonesia had gained significant gain y-o-y during the first quarter of CY19, but supplies from Russia had fell 35% in the same period.

Taiwan imported 0.68 MnT ferrous scrap over the first quarter of CY19, observing a decline of 5% Y-o-Y against 0.71 MnT in Q1 CY18 while imports dropped 26% Q-o-Q, as against 0.91 MnT in Q4 CY18.

Taiwan’s ferrous scrap imports in Feb’19 had reached 40 month low amid a sharp increase in containerised scrap prices and poor finish steel demand. However, activities picked up after lunar holidays as prices stabilised and steel mills started restocking of scrap leading to almost doubling of imports in Mar’19.

USA remained the largest scrap supplier to Taiwan in Q1 CY19, it exported 0.36 MnT ferrous scrap occupying a share of 53% in total imports, falling by 18% Q-o-Q. Japan remained at the 2nd largest supplier position and exported 0.09 MT, rising 42% Q-o-Q with 13% share. Other top scrap suppliers to Taiwan were Hong Kong (0.04 MnT) and Dominican Republic (0.03 MnT) with 6% and 5% of share respectively.

Taiwan billet imports in the first quarter of CY19 plunged by 8.64% Y-o-Y. The nation has imported about 0.74 MnT Billet in Q1 CY19 against 0.81 MnT in Q1 CY18. Inline in comparison with Q4 CY18 imports fall by 29.56% against 1.15 MnT.

In Q1 CY19, the major imports was reported from Russia & approximately 62.02% (0.46 MnT) and rest quantities being imported from Japan, India & Oman.

However in Mar’19, billet imports rise sharply by the nation, has imported about 0.42 MnT. Russia was the major billet exporter to Taiwan which exported about 0.26 MnT (62%) in the month of March. Inline Japan exported around 0.11 MnT.

Taiwan Ferro Alloys imports falls by 22% in Q1 CY19 as compared to the previous Quarter. Imports went up significantly in Mar’19 as compared to previous month. Imports were high as the pre-stocked material for the lunar festivals were used up and fresh orders started to build up. However, the imports in Mar’19 were comparatively low with respect to previous year by 21%. South Africa, Malaysia, India and China remained the top four exporters of Ferro Alloys for Taiwan in Q1 CY18.

Source: SteelMint Stats.
Quantity in MT