United Arab Emirates imports of ferrous products under HS chapter 72 fell -13% on-year in the first half of 2019 to 3.4 million tonnes, according to newly-published data from the UAE Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority monitored by Kallanish.

This means the -22% on-year drop in imports seen in the first quarter of 2019 eased in Q2.

UAE exports of HS chapter 72 products, meanwhile, surged 21% in H1 2019 to 1.49mt. This suggests UAE shipments abroad accelerated rapidly in Q2 as they were flat on-year in Q1.

Re-exports in H1 rose 66% to 264,393t versus 45% growth in Q1.

Imports of HS chapter 73 products – articles of iron or steel, including pipe, pipe fittings, rail, forgings, welded structural sections, steel castings and cast iron – fell 5% in H1 to 1.26mt. In Q1 they were down -9%.

HS chapter 73 exports rose 25% in H1 to 700,185t, versus 44% growth in Q1. Re-exports grew 22% to 288,074t, versus 20% growth in Q1.

Meanwhile, UAE imports under HS chapter 26 – ores, slag and ash – rose 20% in H1 to 5.21mt, versus 4% growth in Q1.

UAE, where almost 90% of output is accounted for by Emirates Steel (ESI), saw crude steel production rise 4.2% in H1 2019 to 1.65mt (see Kallanish passim).