Firm Stainless Bar Price in Tokyo

Stainless steel bar price is firm in Tokyo under strong demand with aggressive capital expenditure by private sector and firm construction activity. The base size market price is 620,000 yen per tonne for SUS304 and 900,000 yen for SUS316 and is expected to increase after the makers increased the selling price in late 2006.The makers increase the selling price again for recent order to cover higher nickel price just after the hike for January-February order. The dealers are forced to increase the reselling price to cover the higher cost price though they still try to pass the former hike on the reselling price. The dealers’ shipment is firm for small lot transactions. Their inventory keeps low especially for base size when the makers reduce the shipment for dealers and the dealers buy just immediate requirement.