European imports of hot-rolled coil rose 38% on the month to 527,483 mt in May, according to the latest data published by the European Steel Association, or Eurofer.
The shipments fell by 6% compared to March 2019, Eurofer data showed.
Imports originating from Russia surged ahead in May, rising by 106,358 mt month on month, or 84%, to 232,419 mt, resulting in Russia recapturing the top position in terms of volume supplied to the European Union.
Compared to May one year previous, Russian HRC volumes saw a three-fold increase.
Turkey, shipped 103,861 mt in May, an decrease of 27,145 mt on the month relegating Turkey into second position in terms of volume supplied.
Compared to May 2019, Turkish volumes are now 59% lower than the same month one year previous when 252,503 mt was shipped to the bloc.
Over the six-month period from December 2019, Turkish HRC volumes have averaged 139,967 mt per month while Russian volumes have averaged 147,732 mt over the same period.
South Korea, which occupied sixth position in April, more than doubled volumes shipped in May, increasing 30,301 mt month on month to 43,810 mt, elevating South Korea into third position.
India, which occupied fifth position in April, saw a substantial increase in volumes in May, up 19,044 mt month on month to 34,124 mt, putting India into fourth position.
— Len Griffin
