China's steel exports could contract 80 percent by volume this year, more than the previously forecast 50 percent, a senior domestic industry expert told an industry conference on Wednesday.

Shan Shanghua, secretary-general of the China Steel Industry Association, said steel exporters faced a "grim" situation as the world economy remained weak.

Customs statistics have shown a big drop in steel exports, which fell 9.6 percent month-on-month to 1.56 million tonnes in February.

(Xinhua News Agency March 19, 2009)