The volume of China’s fastener imports and exports grew 8.4% to 1.59 million tons, with the value up 6% to US$3.88 billion in the first six months of 2017, ChinaFastener.com reports.

The export value gained 4.4% to $2.4 billion, while import value rose 8.7% to $1.49 billion during the six-month period.

The top five fastener export destinations were the U.S., Russia, Japan, Germany and South Korea, according to ChinaFastener.com.

During the first half of 2017, fastener producers in China exported $489.4 million worth of fasteners to the U.S.; $144 million to Russia; $136.9 million to Japan; $92 million to Germany; and $87.9 million to South Korea.

Fastener imports to China also increased during the period.

The top five exporters of fasteners to China were Japan, Germany, the U.S., Taiwan, and South Korea, ChinaFastener.com reports.

During the six-month period, Japan exported $415.4 million worth of fasteners to China; Germany $265 million; the U.S. $207.4 million; Taiwan $116.9 million; and South Korea $107.3 million.