Japan Small Bar Export Rises by 18.6% in 2006

Japanese small bar export decreased by 18.6% to 461,647 tonnes in 2006 from 2005, according to Ministry of Finance. The makers reduced the export to ship more for domestic market with higher domestic price than offshore market. The makers could keep shipping mainly for domestic market in 2007. The export decreased by 37.6% to 221,229 tonnes for South Korea in 2006 from 2005. The export increased by 20% to 178,441 tonnes to USA when the demand increased for construction. The export increased by 21.9% to 14,648 tonnes for Vietnam. The export shifted to USA and Southeast Asia from South Korea. The small bar export increased by 35.2% to 29,298 tonnes in December from a year earlier, which was 25.9% lower than November. The export was 16,785 tonnes to South Korea, which was 34% from a year earlier and 49.2% higher than November. The export was 4,980 tonnes to USA, which was 15.2% lower than a year earlier and 80% lower than November. The point is if USA market could recover from the slower housing demand.