“Steel exports from China (2.9 million metric tons) in November rose by 5.1% compared to data from October and was up 2.5% compared to a year ago”, according to Charles Bradford with Affiliated Research Group.

Bradford reported that “Eleven month exports (39.7 million tons) soared by 86.7% reflecting better steel demand in the Asian markets. Imports into China (1.38 million tonnes) rose 7% compared to a year ago and was up by 25.1% compared to imports in October.

Chinese net steel trade was essentially flat, year over year, with net exports of 1.53 million tonnes, down from 1.72 in October, but essentially the same as the 1.55 a year ago.

Iron ore imports into China rose sharply to 57.38 million tonnes in November at an average price of $145.30 a ton. Year to date imports totaled 560.6 million tons, down 0.9% ($126.40/tonne) compared to the first eleven months of 2009 when imports were 565.56 million tons at $79.13 a tonne.

Overall Chinese exports in November amounted to $153.3 billion (up 34.9%) and imports rose 37.7% to $130.4 billion. Imports in November rose 12.3% compared to arrivals in October.”