Taiwan Steel Import Statistics, Q2 CY19

According to the recent data released by World Steel Association (WSA), Taiwan’s crude steel output in Q2 CY19 witnessed at 5.93 MnT, rise slightly as against 5.86 MnT in Q1 CY19. While on yearly basis in Q2 CY19 Taiwan’s output recorded 17.65% gain as against Q2 CY18 at 5.04 MnT.

Taiwan iron ore imports for Q2 CY19 recorded at 6.33 MnT, rise by 5.5% as compared to 6.0 MnT in Q1 CY19. On yearly premises, imports stood up 4.80% as against 6.04 MnT in Q2 CY18.

Taiwan recorded largest imports from Australia in Q2 CY19 at 4.48 MnT, up compared to 4.38 MnT in Q1 CY19. Inline imports from Brazil in Q2 CY19 are at 1.02 MnT against 1.19 MnT in the last quarter.

Coal imports by Taiwan has increased 8% Q-o-Q during the second quarter of CY19 (Apr-Jun’19), but was still marked lower than the levels attained in the year-ago period. Data provided by customs indicate that Taiwan has imported 17.16 MnT coal in Q2 CY19 against 15.87 MnT recorded in Q1 CY19. Import volumes had fell 8% on the year from 18.62 MnT noted in Q2 CY18.

Notably, the country has shelved proposed addition of coal-fired power plants, having listed major plans to increase gas generation and reduce coal-fired generation.

Over the course of first 6-months of CY19, Taiwan’s coal imports have remained broadly steady at 33.03 MnT compared with 33.6 MnT noted in the same period last year.

Taiwan has witnessed a slight rise in ferrous scrap imports in Q2 CY19, as the country imported 0.72 MnT in the quarter, as against 0.68 MnT in Q1 CY2019, up around 6% Q-o-Q. Increased bookings from Japan were reported in the 2nd quarter amid lowering prices favoring the Taiwanese steelmakers.

On yearly premises, however, the imports have declined by 23% Y-o-Y as against 0.94 MnT in Q2 CY’18.

Imported scrap offers to Taiwan fluctuated sharply throughout the Q2 CY19, on uncertainty at global levels. Assessment for HMS 1&2 (80:20) from the USA, fell sharply from USD 303/MT CFR levels in the beginning of April’19 to around USD 270-275/MT range by the end of Q2 CY19.

Country-wise – USA remained the largest exporter of ferrous scrap occupying a share of 50% in total imports by Taiwan. It imported 0.36 MnT in Q2 CY’19 unchanged Q-o-Q from the previous quarter. Japan stood as the 2nd largest supplier, observing a growth of 22% Q-o-Q, as it imported 0.11 MnT in Q2 CY’19 with a share of 15%. Followed by Dominican republic (0.04 MnT, up 33% Q-o-Q) and Hong Kong (0.03 MnT, down 25 % Q-o-Q) with 6% and 4% of share respectively.

Taiwan Billet imports rise by 32.87% Q-o-Q & reported stable on monthly basis. The nation has imported about 0.97 MnT Billet in Q2 CY19 against 0.73 MnT in Q1 CY19. On yearly basis, imports incline by 16.83% against 0.83 MnT in Q2 CY18.

The major billet import was reported from Russia (0.42 MnT), followed by Japan at 0.38 MnT and rest quantities being imported from Malaysia, Turkey & Australia.

Taiwan has imported about 1.71 MnT billet in CY19 (Jan-Jun) & Russia was the major billet exporter, which exported about 0.88 MT (51.55%). Inline Japan exported around 0.56 MnT (33.05%).

Taiwan Ferro alloy imports remained stable in Jun’19 on M-o-M basis but decreased by 17% on Q2 Cy19, mostly because of the fall in imports for Ferro Chrome. Although the imports remained stable throughout the year, but Ferro Chrome imports were down by a considerable amount in April. Ferro Chrome imports were reduced significantly from India and the imports from South Africa and Oman were nil in the month of Apr, which pulled down the total amount of imports for the second quarter. However, Silico Manganese and Ferro Chrome imports increased by 50% each.

Source: SteelMint Stats.
Quantity in MT