Higher Chrome Series Stainless Cold Flat Steel in Tokyo

Chrome series stainless cold rolled flat steel market price is strong at around 270,000 yen per tonne for SUS430 base size around Tokyo when dealers’ sales is increasing due to firm demand for automobile or construction machinery. Nickel series stainless cold rolled flat steel market price is flat with weak tone at about 500,000 yen per tonne for SUS304 base size due to slow demand for building construction. The dealers realized the higher price after they tried to pass makers’ hikes linked with higher chrome cost. The price is likely to keep firm with pressure by chrome cost.Japanese stainless steel makers are continuing decreased production by about 305 compared with their capacity. But makers and dealers’ inventory slightly decreased when users are going easy on buying it due to decreased nickel price on LME, London Metal Exchange. Makers will reduce supply in a short time, which adjust over inventory at an early date.Cheaper import is pushing down domestic market price. However, the market price keeps same level when dealers take precedence selling price more than sales volume. Stainless coil centers’ sales volume decreased to 31046 tonnes by 3.6% for nickel series products in May from April, which decreased to 26,652 tonnes by 1.9% for chrome series products, according to Japan stainless coil center association. Chrome products sales volume made record in April.