China: Chrome Ore Imports Up by 18% in 2017

China world's largest steelmaker has witnessed a substantial rise in its Chrome Ore imports in 2017. As per customs data, China imported 14.59 MnT Chrome Ore during 2017 registering total growth of 18% Y-o-Y against 12.35 MnT Chrome Ore imports in 2016.

On monthly premise, China witnessed a marginal decrease in its Chrome Ore imports by 7% M-o-M in Dec'17. China imported 1.2 MnT Chrome Ore in December month as against 1.29 MnT imports in Nov'17. However, China's imports surged 14% Y-o-Y against 1.03 MnT Chrome Ore imports in Dec'16.

China's appetite for Chrome ore has been increasingly driven by its Ferro Chrome consumption owing to its strong domestic stainless-steel market.

South Africa remains the largest Chrome Ore exporter to China

In 2017, China imported 10.5 MnT Chrome Ore from South Africa comprising around 72% share of total Chrome Ore imports in China. Turkey, comprising around 8% share of Chrome Ore imports in China, is the second largest exporter at 1.18 MnT and Albania being the third at 0.5 MnT.

However, in Dec'17, South Africa witnessed a marginal fall in its Chrome Ore exports to China by 4% M-o-M at 0.89 MnT against 0.93 MnT in Nov'17. Chrome Ore export from Turkey witness a fall of 60% M-o-M.