As per custom data maintained by SteelMint stats, South Korea billet import during Jan-Jun`18 (H1) is about 0.98 MnT; down by 29.59% as against 1.27 MnT in Jan-Jun`17 (H1).
In the month of Jun’18, Billet imports fall slightly by 5% M-o-M & stood at 0.20 MnT as against 0.21 MnT in May’18. Japan remains the largest billet exporter and registered around 40% i.e; 0.08 MnT & remaining proportionate is being exported by Brazil, Indonesia & South Africa.
On yearly basis in Jun’18, imports of billet to the nation decline by 16.66% against 0.24 MnT in Jun`17.
In the first 6 months of 2018 - Japan, Brazil & Indonesia was the major billet exporter to South Korea which exported about 0.53 MnT (54.30%), 0.18 MnT (18.74%) & 0.17 MnT (17.10%), respectively.
Prior to this, in CY17, the country’s billet import was around 2.06 MnT & in CY16 at 2.80 MnT.
As per the SteelMint analysis, in Jan-May’18 , the crude steel production of South Korea was around 29.94 MnT, surge by 4% Y-o-Y against 28.88 MnT in the same period last year.
In context to export prices, the global offers of 150*150 IS 2830 grade billet are currently at USD 500-515/MT FoB India & 125*125 3sp at USD 495-505/MT FoB Ukraine.
Top Load Country of H1 2018 & H1 2017
| Name | H1 CY18 | H1 CY17 |
| Japan | 0.53 | 0.57 |
| Brazil | 0.18 | 0.21 |
| Indonesia | 0.16 | 0.26 |
| Taiwan | 0.04 | 0.08 |
| Russia | 0.03 | 0.05 |
| Iran | 0.02 | 0.01 |
| China | 0.01 | 0.10 |
| South Africa | 0.01 | 0.00 |