Indian mills went for export thrust last year taking umbrage of weak INR and surplus volumes amidst slow domestic demand. However contrary to belief export growth was resounding in long steel at 54%, whereas flat steel export growth was meager 6%.

India exported 5.067 million tonnes of non alloy steel in April-Feb’14, 17% growth over April-Feb’13. Long steel export increased from 0.402 million to 0.618 million tonnes in the same period.

In long steel maximum growth was in rebar and rods at 60% followed by 15% growth in structural. In flat steel the maximum growth was in CR coils/sheets at 36% followed by 32% in Tin plates and HRC coils/strips by 16%.

Most remarkable growth story was in billet by 249% at 0.426 million from 0.122 million in the same period. It has primarily got to do with massive upstream capacity expansion by SAIL.