Dropping Ni Stainless Cold Sheet Price in Tokyo

Nickel series stainless cold rolled flat steel market price is decreasing at around 430,000 yen per tonne for SUS304 base size around Tokyo. The price is expected to decrease more when nickel ingot price dropped sharply and dealers’ shipment very slow around Tokyo.

The dealer sources said Japanese stainless demand gets worse day by day. The demand is slump for construction materials and business purpose kitchen along with information and communication industry. The demand is expected to keep slow while the demand usually increases in October-December period after slow summer period.

The largest maker of Nippon Steel & Sumikin Stainless Steel (NSSC) decided averaged 30% output cut for stainless steel making operation in October-March period. Nisshin Steel reduces the output by 10% to improve the supply balance. Despite of the output cut announcement, the dealers’ market price decreasing and the market shows no sign to hit bottom near future.