South Korea's HRC imports rise sharply in September - KOSA

According to the latest figures published on the website of the Korea Iron and Steel Association (KOSA), imports of hot rolled coils (HRC) into the country rose sharply during the month of September 2014.

South Korea imported 492,000 tonnes of hot rolled coils in September. September 2014 imports were 22 percent higher compared to HRC imports into the country in the previous month. South Korean imports of HRC during August 2014 amounted to 403,000 tons. In addition, imports of hot rolled coils in September this year were 48 percent higher compared to the 332,000 tons imports in September last year.

Japan was the main exporter of hot rolled coils to Korea in September this year. HRC imports from Japan reached 244,500 tons, accounting for nearly 50 percent of South Korea's total HRC imports during this month. Imports of hot rolled coils from Japan were up more than 40 percent from the previous month and nearly 36 percent from the previous year.

The cumulative imports of hot rolled coils to South Korea during the nine months of 2014 amounted to 3,730,000 tons. HRC imports over the period were 7 percent higher than imports for the corresponding nine months in 2013.