It is informed from China that the output of crude steel in China for the calendar year ( January - December ) of 2003 is estimated at 220 million tons as an increase of 40 million tons compared to that in the preceding calendar year of 2002 and, consequently, the demand for manganese ferro-alloys from domestic market of China in 2003 is supposed to have increased by 450,000 - 500,000 tons on an annualized base. Also, many of the parties concerned have a view that the output of crude steel in China for the calendar year of 2004 will come to 260 million tons as an increase of 50 million tons from that in 2003. Therefore, the demand for manganese ferro-alloys from domestic market of China in 2004 is anticipated to increase by 550,000 - 600,000 tons per year. However, as regards the forecast which China will produce 300 million tons of crude steel in 2005 - 2006, " Peoples' Daily ", a government bulletin of China, has warned to postpone this target by having pointed out the problems in relation to the unbridled plans to expand steel production. In spite of such change of the situation, none denies a tendency to increase the output of crude steel in 2004.
展开▼
