According to the customs and excise data released by the South African Iron and Steel Institute, South Africa’s primary carbon and alloy steel product imports (excluding stainless steel and drawn wire) amounted to 50,817 tonnes in August 2012, decreasing by 29.5% MoM and down by 35.1% YoY.

The country’s primary carbon and alloy steel product imports during the first eight months of 2012 amounted to 551,773 tonnes, increasing by 7.5% YoY as compared to the 513,062 tonnes of primary carbon and alloy steel products imported during the corresponding quarter of 2011.

Of South Africa’s total primary carbon and alloy steel product imports in the January to August 2012 period, 73.7% consisted of flat steel products, 25.1% consisted of profile steel products, while semi finished products accounted for the remaining 1.2%.