Japan Ordinary Steels Export Decreases in April

Japanese ordinary steel export decreased by 1.6% to 1.823 million tonnes in April from a year earlier, representing decreases for 17 months in a row, announced Japan Iron and Steel Federation on Friday. The export increased by 26.5% for hot-rolled wide strip coil while decreased for cold-rolled wide strip coil, galvanized steel sheet and steel plate. Compared with March, the total export decreased by 21.9% in April, decreasing for the first time in these 3 months. Japanese iron and steel export to South Korea decreased by 11.9% to 562,000 tonnes in April from a year earlier, representing decrease for the first time in 2 months. The export to China decreased by 6.1% to 460,000 tonnes, decreasing for 8 straight months. The export to Taiwan decreased by 20% to 284,000 tonnes, decreasing for 4 straight months. The export to Thailand decreased by 23.6% to 255,000 tonnes, representing decrease for 6 months in a row. The export to the U.S.A. increased by 15.6% to 141,000 tonnes, increasing for 5 straight months.