Nippon Steel Raises Hot Coil Export Price for July-Dec

Nippon Steel will conclude the export price negotiation for hot, cold rolled coil and electric and hot dip galvanizing steel sheet with Japanese electric appliance makers in Asia for July-December 2008 shipping. The price is expected to surge by total about US$ 400 per tonne since April 2008.

Nippon Steel raised the export price by over US$ 200 per tonne to appliance makers in Asia for April-June from January-March. They showed disapprovals against the price hike when their output decreased in China or common steel market price decreased.

However, the demand for high-grade steel sheet keeps strong. Nippon Steel can’t supply the products enough due to the refinement of Oita iron works, Japan. The users take a precedence on stable procurement of steel sheet.

Nippon Steel starts next price negotiation for January-June 2009 next month. The users are expected to resist against the price hike strongly due to uncertainty in Asian economy.