[ferro-alloys.com]China's finished steel exports retreated in July after rising continuously over February-June, to 5.886 million mt, down 15% both on the month and on the year, preliminary data released Wednesday by the General Administration of Customs showed.

Over January-July, China's steel export volume totaled 41.31 million mt, down 14% year on year.

Market sources said the drop in the July export volume was within their expectations, as orders for July shipments booked mainly during May-June had declined due to rising Chinese steel prices.

Steel imports for July were at 1.027 million mt, down 1% on the month but up 5% on the year.

In the first seven months of this year, steel imports were down 1% year on year at 7.698 million mt.

Net steel exports in July were at 4.859 million mt, down 18% on the month and down 19% on the year. In January-July, the net steel export figure reached 33.61 million mt, down 16% on the year.

• [Editor:王可]