Taiwan Billet Imports Decline, January

Taiwan's billet import plunged by 53% M-o-M in Jan'18, country's custom data reported.

The nation has imported about 240,000 MT Billet in the month of Jan'18 against 510,000 MT in Dec'17, decline by 52.94% M-o-M

While, on Y-o-Y in Jan'18 imports rise by 27% against 190,000 MT in Jan'17. Considering fiscal year 2018 (Apr-Jan), the imports up by 7% to 2.78 MnT against same preceding FY17 at 2.59 MnT.

Japan remained in the top list of billet imports in Taiwan with an contribution of about 150,000 MT (62.91%); followed by Russia 0.07 MnT (30.42%), Vietnam 0.01 MnT (3.97%) & South Africa 0.01 MnT (2.12%).

As per the SteelMint's assessment in January 2018, the crude steel production of Taiwan was around 1.96 MnT and in FY18 (Apr-Jan) it was approximately 19.28 MnT. Prior to this it was at 18.20 MnT in FY17 in the same duration.

-- Taiwan's prices for importing containerized HMS-grade ferrous scrap rise by USD 19/MT on weekly basis, price assessment for USA based HMS (80:20) are at USD 369/MT CNF Taiwan.

-- Last assessment of global billet export offer are hovering at USD 535-545/MT FoB China, USD 540-550/MT FoB Ukraine & USD 540-543/MT FOB India.

-- In CY17, billet Imports in Taiwan incline by 4% Y-o-Y & stood at 3.41 MnT against 3.28 MnT in 2016.