Chinese crude steel production dropped 9% from 51.8 million metric tonnes in October to 47.3 million tonnes in November. This is still 34% higher than November 2008 crude steel production.

Finished steel exports rose 5% to 2.85 million tonnes, continuing the climb started in June 2009 when exports were 1.43 million tonnes. November 2009 exports were 3% lower than November 2008’s, and 30% lower than November 2007’s. Net finished steel exports grew to 1.56 million tonnes and apparent domestic consumption fell 10% to 43.4 million tonnes.

Based on reported import licenses, US flat products imports dropped 7% from 429,000 short tons in October (according to preliminary census figures) to 398,000 short tons in November. This can be compared to 641,000 tons of imports in November 2008.

Hot rolled and cold rolled imports both grew at 1% between October and November. Cut plate imports, however, dropped 42% to 23,000 tons mainly due to lower imports from Canada. Hot dip galvanized imports also dropped significantly by 21% to 70,000 tons due to reduced imports from Canada, Korea, and Taiwan. Read the rest of this entry »