Question : Export and Import of Graphite Electrode

(a) whether the Government has details about the total quantity of graphite electrode exported and imported by the Government during each of the last five years and the current year and if so, the details thereof, year-wise;
(b) whether it is a fact that there has been an incline in price of graphite electrodes during the recent years as a result of which steel manufacturers especially at smaller levels are unable to operate in Indian market;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the corrective steps taken by the Government to provide relief to these smaller steel units; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to encourage the growth of the small steel companies in the country?

THE MINISTER OF STEEL (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) The quantity of import and export of graphite electrodes by Indian firms during the last three years and for the current year is as:-

(Quantity in Tonne)
Year Export Import
2016-17 62576 4057
2017-18 82476 5207
2018-19 75875 8276
April, 2019 – Jan., 2020 46051 11608
Source: DGFT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry

(b)&(c): The price of graphite electrodes have tended to fluctuate in recent years, both globally and domestically. While the price has increased since latter half of 2017 and remained high until nearly the end of 2018, the prices have softened in 2019. As steel sector is deregulated, the impact of graphite electrode prices on steel manufacturers depend on commercial arrangements with graphite electrode suppliers. However, to provide relief to the steel producers, the Government keeps a watch on the prices of graphite electrodes and steel items and accordingly, suitable recommendations for change in Basic Customs Duty are made to Ministry of Finance from time to time.

(d) To encourage the growth of small steel companies in the country, the Government has brought National Steel Policy 2017, Domestically Manufactured Iron & Steel Products Procurement (DMI&SP) Policy, Steel Scrap Policy, Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) alongwith making efforts for ensuring raw material security , energy efficient technologies etc. to improve the performance of small steel companies. Ministry of Steel has also facilitated setting up of an industry driven Steel Research & Technology Mission of India (SRTMI) in association with the public and private sector steel companies to spearhead research and development activities in the iron and steel industry.

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