South Africa's stainless steel imports up 44% for 2016
It is reported that South Africa's imports of stainless steel surged 44% in 2016. According to Southern African Stainless Steel Development Association (SASSDA), the country's surge of stainless steel imports was largely due to a mass imports of such product from China. As comparison, the export of stainless steel finished products of the country dropped by 20% in 2016.
John Tarboton, the executive director of SASSDA, said whereas South Africa was still a net exporter of stainless steel finished products in 2015, having exported 8,000 tons more than it imported, the country imported 40,000 of stainless steel finished products more than it exported, therefore running a trade deficit of this product.
