Japan Carbon Steel Export Rises by 7% in May

Japanese carbon steel export increased by 7% to 2.157 million tonnes in May from a year earlier, which was first increase in 18 months, announced by Japan Iron and Steel Federation on Tuesday. The hot rolled wide coil export jumped by 39% and galvanizing steel export increased for the first time in 15 months. The carbon steel export increased by 18.3% from April, which was first increase in 2 months. Especially the flat steel export increased including 53% increase for plate and 22% increase for wide hot coil. The total steel export to South Korea increased by 14.5% to 767,000 tonnes in May from a year earlier, which was first increase in 2 months. The export to Taiwan increased by 12.7% to 339,000 tonnes, which was first increase in 5 months. The export to USA increased by 80.6% to 210,000 tonnes, which was increase for 6 months in a row. The export to China decreased by 2% to 506,000 tonnes, which was decrease for 9 months in a row. The export to Thailand decreased by 20.3% to 301,000 tonnes, which was decrease for 7 months in a row. Japanese total steel export increased by 6.1% to 2.994 million tonnes in May from a year earlier, which was first increase in 11 months. The export value increased in yen for 30 months in a row while the value in US dollar decreased for 2 months in a row.