According to a report released by the South East Asia Iron and Steel Institute (SEAISI), in 2013 China overtook Japan as the biggest source of steel imports of ASEAN (Association of South East Nations) countries, with a market share of almost 30 percent. Over the previous few years, Japan had been the largest source of steel imports for ASEAN counties, registering a market share of more than 25 percent.
In 2013, Japanese hot rolled coil (HRC) exports increased by 7.6 percent year on year to 13.6 million metric tons, with around 33 percent of these exports destined for ASEAN countries, with an increase of 3.8 percent in volume compared to 2012. Meanwhile, last year Japan's cold rolled coil (CRC) exports increased by 2.8 percent year on year to 5.7 million metric tons, with 35 percent of these exports going to the ASEAN region, increasing by 5.6 percent year on year.
On the other hand, in 2013, among Chinese long steel exports, steel bars accounted for the highest volume with 9 million metric tons, up 48 percent year on year, with around 30 percent of these exports supplied to ASEAN countries, up 59 percent compared to 2012. China's second most exported long steel product in 2013 was wire rod, amounting to 8 million metric tons, up 43 percent year on year, with 45 percent of these exports going to ASEAN countries, up 51 percent year on year.
Meanwhile, in 2013, Chinese HRC exports increased by seven percent year on year to 6.7 million metric tons, with 28 percent destined to ASEAN countries, up three percent year on year. Also, last year Chinese CRC exports totaled 4.4 million metric tons, up 1.7 year on year, with 18 percent of the total going to the ASEAN region, up 1.2 percent year on year.
In addition, in 2013, Chinese hot dip galvanized (HDG) sheet exports increased by 13 percent to 5.4 million metric tons, with 20 percent of these exports for ASEAN countries. In the given year, Chinese pipe and tube exports totaled 9 million metric tons, with 1.3 million metric tons going to ASEAN countries, down 5.2 percent year on year.
