Strong Sheet Steel Price in Tokyo

Sheet steel market price is strong at around 85,000-87,000 yen per tonne for hot rolled flat steel, at 88,000-90,000 yen for pickling steel and at 92,000-93,000 yen for cold rolled flat steel around Tokyo. The price is likely to increase more when dealers try to pass higher cost price preparing for the makers’ wide hike.Tokyo Steel Manufacturing increased selling price by 15,000 yen per tonne for hot rolled coil and by 17,000 yen per tonne for pickled and zinc coated steel sheet effective for April contracts. Flat steel supply is being tighter due to strong demand from automobiles.Dealer source said pickled and cold rolled steel sheet market price is increasing due to supply shortage. However, actual demand for dealers is not recovering remarkably. Dealer source is concerned about rising market price despite slow demand.Meanwhile, the market price is expected to surge up when high price products would arrive soon from integrated steel makers.