United Arab Emirates imports under HS chapter 72 – comprising iron, scrap, ferroalloys, semi-finished products, flat and long products, wire and forged bars – fell -25% on-year in January-September 2017 to 4.13 million tonnes. This is according to newly-published UAE Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority data monitored by Kallanish. The decline narrowed, however, from -29% after the first half-year.

China remained the largest supplier in the nine months, but its shipments to UAE fell -39% to 724,317t. Oman jumped to second from fifth with a 73% surge in supply to 577,105t, while Iran remained in third despite a -5% drop to 533,004t. India rose two places to fourth with a 59% surge in supply to 529,424t. Qatar slipped one place to fifth with a -40% slump to 294,260t.

South Korea and Ukraine also saw slight declines in shipments to UAE, but the biggest loser was Turkey whose nine-month supply to UAE plunged -77% to 270,677t. Japan-origin intake, meanwhile, fell -59% to 111,593t.

March remained the single month of most imports in January-September, with 577,140t, down -7% on-year.

UAE nine-month imports under HS chapter 73 – comprising pipe, pipe fittings, rail, forgings, welded structural sections, steel castings and cast iron – fell -18% on-year to 1.56mt, accelerating from -14% after H1.

The largest supplier remained China despite a -29% fall in intake to 446,421t, while India remained second despite an -18% drop to 244,323t. Free zones jumped three places to third with a 31% surge to 123,615t, suggesting UAE end-users are sourcing more from domestic producers based in special industrial zones. Less was sourced from GCC neighbours.

May remained the single month of most imports in January-September, with 215,343t, up 3% on-year.

Meanwhile, UAE nine-month imports under HS chapter 26 – ores, slag and ash – rose 6% on-year to 7.11mt. The main suppliers were Japan, China and Oman respectively with 1.63mt, 1.29mt and 1.06mt.