Strong Sheet Steel Price in Tokyo

Sheet steel market price is increasing to around 100,000-102,000 yen per tonne for hot rolled flat steel, at 104,000-105,000 yen for pickling steel and at 109,000-111,000 yen for cold rolled flat steel around Tokyo. Dealers are raising selling price when Nippon Steel announced to raise steel sheet price by 10,000 yen per tonne for the shipping in July on May 14.

The supply and demand is tight for steel sheet due to strong demand for automobile, industrial machinery or export.

On the other hand, dealer sure said the order to dealers decreased to ordinary level duet o termination of speculative demand. But, users are requesting the purchasing due to anticipation of a rise.

Large dealer source said the demand for building construction is recovering be degree, but the demand keeps low level yet. In addition, the demand for home electronics is expected to decrease due to slackness of building demand.

Some size steel sheet inventory is short due to tight supply. Coil center source said the firm has no other choice to purchase a steel sheet made by electric furnace makers or import product which are comparatively high price when the supply by integrated steel makers is lacking.