According to data of Stainless Steel Council of China Special Steel Enterprise Association (CSSC), China’s crude stainless steel output totaled 4.4 million tons in the first quarter of this year, down by 1.7% from a quarter ago.

It’s learned that the austenitic production fell by 7.9% quarter on quarter in the first quarter of this year, in comparison of the growth of 11.5% and 0.5% for 400 grades and 200 grades respectively.

In the first quarter of this year, the country’s apparent consumption of stainless steel fell by 1.9% quarter on quarter to 3.3 million tons. Meanwhile, China’s exports of stainless steel products totaled 715,000 tons in January-March, rising by 45.2% from a quarter ago and increasing by 58.2% year on year. However, the imports of stainless steel products were at 167,200 tons, decreasing by 27.6% quarter on quarter and falling by 15.6% year on year.