France Steel Export Statistics: Q1-2019

France, one of the leading steel producers of EU 28 observed a total crude steel production 3.87 MnT in Q1 CY'19, witnessing a marginal rise of 2% Q-o-Q in comparison to 3.79 MnT of production in Q4 CY'18. Recent customs data showed that ferrous scrap and finished flat steel exports from France were observed to have increased while finished long steel exports declined, on a quarterly basis.

Ferrous scrap exports increase in Q1 CY'19 - France exported 1.65 MnT of ferrous scrap in Q1 CY'19, increasing by 9% Q-o-Q against 1.52 MnT in Q4 CY'18. While on a yearly premise, exports rose by 3% Y-o-Y as against 1.61 MnT of scrap exported in Q1 CY'18. Notably, in the period of Indian FY-2019 (Apr '18- Mar'19) ferrous scrap exports from France were recorded to be the highest in the last 6 financial years, as the country exported 6.19 MnT of scrap during this period.

Country-wise - Spain remained the largest importer occupying a share of 30% in total scrap exports from France in Q1 CY'19 as it imported 0.51 MnT in Q1 CY'19, witnessing a rise of 23% Q-o-Q against 0.41 MnT in Q4 CY'18. Another top supplier Belgium exported 0.39 MnT of ferrous scrap, rising 10% Q-o-Q with a 23% of share. Followed by other prominent importers Luxumberg (0.21MnT, up 13% Q-o-Q), Turkey (0.16 MnT, up 18% Q-o-Q) and Italy (0.16 MnT, up 16% Q-o-Q) occupying 12%, 10% and 10% share respectively in total scrap exports from France.

On monthly basis, scrap exports from France reached a 24 month high in Mar'19 and rose by 17% M-o-M on account of aggressive bookings by Turkey, as the country exported 0.62 MnT in Mar'19 as against 0.53 MnT in Feb'19. Prior to this the highest monthly exports were witnessed in Mar'17 when the country had exported 0.64 MnT of ferrous scrap.

Flat steel exports up by 6% in Q1 CY'19- Nation's flat steel exports for Q1 CY'19 marginally increased by 6% Q-o-Q to 2.48 MnT in comparison to 2.35 MnT in previous quarter, while on an yearly basis nation's exports declined by 9% Y-o-Y as compared to 2.72 MnT in corresponding quarter of preceding year (Q1 CY'18).

Meanwhile on monthly premise nation's flat steel exports rose by 9% from 0.78 MnT in Feb'19 to 0.85 MnT in Mar'19.

Country-wise - France majorly exports flat steel to Italy and recorded exports at 0.42 MnT in Q1 CY'19 ascended by 31% in comparison to 0.32 MnT in previous quarter. Following this France also exported flat steel to Germany at 0.41 MnT, Italy Belgium 0.37 MnT, Spain 0.32 MnT and Luxembourg at 0.14 MnT in Q1 CY'19. France also exported to Turkey, United Kingdom and Algeria in smaller quantities in Q1 CY'19.

Long steel exports up in Q1 CY'19 - France's long steel exports for Q1 CY'19 declined by 5% to 0.45 MnT in comparison to 0.48 MnT in Q4 CY'18 while on yearly basis nation's exports declined by 3% Q-o-Q as compared to 0.47 MnT in Q1 CY'18. Meanwhile on monthly premise nation's flat steel exports rose by 17% from 0.14 MnT in Feb'19 to 0.16 MnT in Mar'19.

Country-wise - France majorly exports long steel to Germany and recorded exports at 0.17 MnT in Q1 CY'19 dropping by 15% in comparison to 0.19 MnT in previous quarter, occupying a 36% share in total long steel exports from France. Followed by other top importers Belgium (0.05 MnT, up 35%) and Switzerland (0.04 MnT, up 2%) with 12% and 8% of share respectively.

France Steel Exports in Q1 CY 2019

Source: Customs Data