China's finished steel exports rose 4% month on month in September to 3.828 million mt, after falling 12% on the month in August, customs data showed.

September exports were down 28% year on year.

Considering finished steel imports at 2.885 million mt and exports at 3.828 million mt, China remained a net finished steel exporter in September supplying 0.943 million mt – down 34% on the month and 78% on the year, customs data showed.

China's finished steel exports over January-September fell 20% year on year to 40.385 million mt, while finished steel imports were up 72% to 15.073 million mt, according to customs data.

Net finished steel exports dropped 39% year on year to 25.312 million mt over the first nine months of 2020.

Market sources expect China's steel exports to continue improving in the remainder of 2020.

The overseas markets have gradually resumed operations amid easing lockdowns, while the Chinese domestic market has slowed down due to tighter monetary stimulus and stronger restrictions in the property sector, market sources said.

China will release September customs data for semi-finished steel on Oct. 23.

Market sources expect China's semi-finished steel imports to drop in September from August's 3.22 million mt.

Steel prices in the Chinese domestic spot and futures markets have gone up since the start of October, with few billet import deals done for November-December shipments, sources said.

Billet spot prices in Tangshan market increased 3% or Yuan 90/mt ($13/mt) over Oct. 1-10, S&P Global Platts assessments showed

-- Analyst Jing Zhang, Analyst Joy Zhuo