South Korea's Ferrosilicon Imports Rise 9.65% MoM In April 2025: Country-By-Country Volumes
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South Korea's Ferrosilicon Imports Rise 9.65% MoM in April 2025: Country-by-Country Volumes
ZhenAn Knowledge Desk · Published May 26, 2025 · Source: customs trade data, April 2025
South Korea's ferrosilicon imports reached an estimated 18,760.9 metric tons (t) in April 2025, up 9.65% month-on-month (MoM), per customs trade data for April 2025 as compiled by ZhenAn International Co., Limited. China led with 9,425 t, followed by Malaysia, Brazil, a CIS-region supplier and Vietnam. Below: the April breakdown, what drives the uptick, and what to specify in an RFQ.
Key Takeaways
April 2025 imports: ≈ 18,760.9 t, +9.65% MoM (customs trade data, April 2025).
China leads with 9,425 t - about 50.2% of the monthly total.
Malaysia (4,785.9 t, 25.5%) and Brazil (2,810 t, 15.0%) round out the top three.
A CIS-region supplier (891 t) and Vietnam (849 t) complete the top five origins.
The rise matches spring production ramp-ups in Korea's steel and foundry sectors.
April 2025 in Numbers
The five reported volumes sum to 18,760.9 t. Applying the +9.65% MoM rate implies March 2025 imports of roughly 17,110 t (April total ÷ 1.0965), an increase of about 1,651 t on the month. Only the reported April volumes and the +9.65% rate are primary data; the March figure and shares below are arithmetic derivations.
Country-by-Country Breakdown
| Origin | Volume (metric tons) | Share of April total |
|---|---|---|
| China | 9,425 | 50.2% |
| Malaysia | 4,785.9 | 25.5% |
| Brazil | 2,810 | 15.0% |
| a CIS-region supplier | 891 | 4.7% |
| Vietnam | 849 | 4.5% |
| Total | 18,760.9 | 100.0% |
South Korean ferrosilicon imports by origin, April 2025 - per customs trade data, April 2025. Shares calculated from reported volumes.
China (9,425 t): dominant origin, consistent with China's position as the world's largest ferrosilicon producer, with broad availability of FeSi65–FeSi75 grades.
Malaysia (4,785.9 t): second-largest supplier, with a growing role in Asia-Pacific supply chains.
Brazil (2,810 t): stable large-volume producer with increasing focus on Asian markets.
A CIS-region supplier (891 t) and Vietnam (849 t): consistent smaller origins that diversify Korea's import mix.
What the +9.65% MoM Increase Signals
Ferrosilicon demand tracks crude steelmaking, casting and specialty steel output. A MoM rise of this size points to firmer order books and restocking across Korean mills and foundries entering the spring season. One month of customs data is a snapshot, not a trend - watch two to three consecutive months of statistics before adjusting contract volumes.
Why Ferrosilicon Matters: Deoxidation and Inoculation
Steelmaking - primary deoxidizer and alloying agent
Ferrosilicon removes dissolved oxygen from molten steel after converter or EAF refining, preventing oxide inclusions that impair mechanical properties. Silicon also raises strength, hardness and elastic limits and improves electrical and magnetic properties - hence its use in spring steel, tool steel, bearing steel and silicon electrical steel. Grade silicon content and cleanliness directly affect steel quality and inclusion control.
Foundry - inoculant for grey and ductile iron
Ferrosilicon-based inoculants are added to cast iron melts to promote graphite nucleation, reduce chill (white-iron) formation and improve machinability and consistency. Foundry inoculants are often modified with small additions of calcium, barium or strontium; the base material remains ferrosilicon.
Grades and Specifications Buyers Should Specify
Ferrosilicon is sold by silicon content and impurity profile, so an RFQ should never stop at "FeSi75". Specify at least:
Grade: FeSi45, FeSi65, FeSi72 or FeSi75 - e.g. FeSi75 with Si ≥ 75.0% as the contract minimum.
Impurity limits: caps on C, Al, P, S and Mn, which vary by application (deoxidation vs. inoculation).
Lump size: e.g. 10–50 mm or 10–100 mm with agreed maximum fines; powder or granules for cored wire.
Packaging: typically 1,000 kg big bags on pallets, with moisture protection for ocean freight.
Documentation: mill test certificate (MTC) and certificate of analysis (COA) against the agreed standard, plus lot photos and packing list.
Sourcing Checklist for Korean and Regional Buyers
Verify the customs data and its reporting lag before extrapolating direction from one MoM figure.
State the governing standard in your RFQ - GB/T 2272-2020, ASTM A100 or JIS G 2302 - and require the MTC to cite it.
Agree lump-size distribution and fines tolerance in writing; disputes most often start at the discharge port.
Confirm Incoterms, discharge port (e.g. Busan), lead time and payment terms (LC at sight or TT) before contracting.
For a new supplier, request a pre-shipment sample and, where justified, third-party inspection at the loading port.
FAQ
Q1. Why did South Korea's ferrosilicon imports rise 9.65% MoM in April 2025?
Per customs trade data for April 2025, imports reached about 18,760.9 t versus an implied March volume of roughly 17,110 t. The increase is consistent with spring production ramp-ups and restocking in steelmaking and foundry sectors; a single month should not be read as a trend.
Q2. Which countries supply the most ferrosilicon to South Korea?
China led with 9,425 t (50.2% of April volume), followed by Malaysia (4,785.9 t, 25.5%), Brazil (2,810 t, 15.0%), a CIS-region supplier (891 t) and Vietnam (849 t).
Q3. What is ferrosilicon used for?
It is a deoxidizer and alloying agent in steelmaking and an inoculant in grey and ductile iron foundries. Common grades range from FeSi45 to FeSi75.
Q4. Which quality standards cover ferrosilicon?
Commonly referenced standards include GB/T 2272-2020 (China), ASTM A100 (USA) and JIS G 2302 (Japan). Specify silicon content, impurity limits, sizing and packaging in the RFQ.
Contact Us
ZhenAn International Co., Limited
WhatsApp: +86 15518824805
Email: info@zaferroalloy.com
Address: Huafu Commercial Center, Wenfeng District, Anyang City, Henan Province, China
Plan Your Next Ferrosilicon Order
ZhenAn International Co., Limited supplies ferrosilicon and a full range of ferroalloys for steelmaking and foundry applications. Send your RFQ with grade, standard, lump size and quantity.
Email: info@zaferroalloy.com · WhatsApp: +86 15518824805
Address: Huafu Commercial Center, Wenfeng District, Anyang City, Henan Province, China
