Economy

April Chinese Trade Data: Iron Ore Imports and Flat Rolled Exports Up
Written by Brett Linton
May 22, 2014
Chinese steel trade data for April 2014 was released earlier this week, providing updated data on iron ore imports, steel scrap imports, and flat rolled imports and exports. Chinese imports of iron ore in April were 83,390,000 metric tons, an increase of 12.8 percent from the previous month and an increase of 24.2 percent from April 2013. Total iron ore imports for 2014 were adjusted to 305,340,000 tons.
April imports of steel scrap were 230,000 tons, down 8.0 percent from March and down 39.5 percent from the same month one year ago. 2014 total levels for steel scrap imports were adjusted to 790,000 tons.
Flat rolled imports in March were 1,080,000 tons, a 3.8 percent increase from the previous month but a 0.9 percent decrease over April 2013 figures. Total 2014 imports were adjusted to 4,100,000 tons. Chinese exports of flat rolled steel were 3,620,000 tons for April, up 15.3 percent from March and up 56.0 percent from April 2013. Total flat rolled exports for 2014 are at an adjusted 12,250,000 tons. (Source: China Customs Service)
SMU Note: You can view the interactive graphic below when you are logged into the website and reading the newsletter online. If you have not logged into the website in the past and need a new user name and password we can do that for you out of our office. Contact us at: info@SteelMarketUpdate.com or by calling 800-432-3475. If you need help navigating the website we would also be very happy to assist you.
{amchart id=”127″ Chinese Trade Data- China Iron Ore, Scrap, Flat Rolled Imports and Exports}

Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Economy

ISM September survey captures deepening manufacturing gloom
The Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) latest monthly report on manufacturing reflects a bleak view of American industry in September.

Key industries concerned over government shutdown’s impact on steel, manufacturing
Trade groups cautioned that a prolonged shutdown could strain US industry.

Chicago Business Barometer catches cold winds of contraction in September
The Chicago Business Barometer's September reading indicates a softening in overall business activity in the Midwest for the third consecutive month, with new orders and backlogs retreating further.

Metalforming market sentiment takes a dive in September: PMA
Metalforming manufacturers anticipate a decrease in near-term conditions, according to the Precision Metalforming Association's (PMA) Business Conditions Report for September.

AIA: Architecture firms still under pressure
Architecture firms reported a modest improvement in billings through August, yet business conditions remained soft, according to the latest Architecture Billings Index (ABI) release from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Deltek.