Japan Stainless Steel Sheet Import Jumps by 32.8% in March

Japanese stainless steel sheet import increased by 32.8% to 23,971 tonnes in March from February including hot- and cold-rolled sheet, which was third highest in past 3 years, according to Ministry of Finance. Hot-rolled products import increased by 38.6% to 14,240 tonnes, which exceeded 10,000 tonnes for 4 consecutive months. Cold-rolled products import increased by 25.1% to 9,730 tonnes, which exceeded 9,000 tonnes for the first time since January 2005.The import from South Korea was the largest at total 20,597 tonnes, 7,995 tonnes of which was cold-rolled products. The second was Finland at total 744 tonnes, 346 tonnes of which was cold sheet, and the third was China at total 718 tonnes, 697 tonnes of which was cold products.