Japan Rebar, Billet Export Price Recovers

Japanese export price of concrete reinforcing steel bar and billet increases since the start of the year due to around 25% higher ferrous scrap price. The steel makers try to realize higher export price when the transaction is expected to increase after Chinese New Year.

Japanese rebar export price reached FOB 44,000 yen per tonne recently while the price to South Korea dropped to less than 40,000 yen at end of December. The makers try to increase the export price to up to 50,000 yen to cover higher cost when they operate the facility at low rate due to demand slump.

The billet export price reaches around FOB 35,000 yen per tonne recently from bottom of around 30,000 yen at end December. The makers try to realize more than 40,000 yen to cover higher ferrous scrap cost after Chinese New Year.

Japanese electric furnace steel makers operate at less than 50% of the capacity under very slow demand. They are reluctant to export the products at loss making price level.