Japan Carbon Steel Export Rises by 12.1% in September

Japanese carbon steel export increased by 12.1% to 2.387 million tonnes in September from a year earlier, which increased for 10 months in a row, announced by Japan Iron and Steel Federation on Tuesday. The export increased by 7.1% to 13.504 million tonnes in April-September from same period of 2007.

The export doubled to 977,000 tonnes for special steel products in September from a year earlier. The export increased by 8.1% to 397,000 tonnes for semi-finished products while the processed steel export decreased by 4.8% to 55,000 tonnes.

The total steel export including pig iron and ferroalloys increased by 26.5% to 3.846 million tonnes in September from a year earlier. The export volume was record as September and second monthly high after 3.895 million tonnes in March 2008. The total export reached 20.001 million tonnes in April-September, which was record as first half year to September and second half year high after 20.012 million tonnes in October 2007-March 2008 period.

The total export increased by 13.6% to 924,000 tonnes for South Korea in September from a year earlier, which was first increase in 5 months. The export increased by 32.3% to 669,000 tonnes for China, which increased for 3 months in a row. The export increased by 30.7% to 446,000 tonnes for Thailand and by 18.5% to 123,000 tonnes for USA while the export to Taiwan decreased by 1.9% to 286,000 tonnes.