According to the French Steel Federation, French exports of steel products to third countries in the first quarter rose by 8.2 percent to 159,000 against the same period last year.

Flat products export increased by 7.1 percent to 136,000 tons, long products up by 15 percent to 23,000 tons.

Import in France dropped by 59.5 percent to 32,000 tons, and that of long products fell by 33.3 percent to 14,000 tons compared to the same time of last year.