Due to low production levels and low export, apparent consumption of steel in August was 50.108Mt, down 3.9% y-o-y.

Steel production suffered a 1.1% y-o-y fall in August. Both long and flat products experienced a similar scope of falling.

Due to a narrowing price gap between the domestic market and overseas markets, as well as export VAT rebate rates adjustment taking effect after July 15, rolled export suffered a substantial fall in August to 28.01Mt.

Since there are uncertainties in world economy, we believe world market might continue to perform poorly.

Aggregate consumption for Jan-Aug was 404.2Mt, up 8.8% y-o-y.

Source China Metals email [email protected]