Rebar Market to Keep Firm in Tokyo

Concrete reinforcing steel bar market price could keep firm after holiday in mid-August around Tokyo after the price hit 70,000 yen per tonne for base size with 19 millimeters diameter. The makers seek higher price when they expect the demand keeps firm and the ferrous scrap market could increase more after summer. The market price increased from 60,000 yen per tonne at the beginning of the year due to higher scrap price. Local scrap price increased by 10,000 yen in 2006 and increased by 3,000-4,000 yen from start of 2007. The price is expected to hit 40,000 yen after summer pressuring the rebar price. The rebar demand kept monthly 300,000 tonnes in the year and the makers keep 3-4 months order backlog. The demand is expected to keep firm when general contractors could submit new order for major building projects. The makers try to increase the selling price to cover higher raw materials cost when their shipping cost is still averaged 62,000-63,000 yen per tonne.