Steel Sheet Price Keeps Flat in Tokyo

The market price of steel sheet maintains flat in Tokyo at around 67,000-69,000 yen per tonne for hot rolled sheet, 75,000-77,000 yen for pickling sheet and around 80,000-81,000 yen for cold rolled sheet.The price is expected to increase in the market, especially for hot rolled coil, when overseas makers and Tokyo Steel Manufacturing raised their selling prices. Coil centers and distributors around Tokyo seem preparing for raising their selling prices as early as after the holiday period in May. However, demand is low in the region for both auto related usage, mainly from Nissan Motor, and building materials. In addition coil centers are concerned about their overstocks of pickling and cold rolled steel sheet. Despite the situation trading house source expects steel sheet import would continue decreasing for a while because there are few merits for imports than domestic products. Steel sheet price might turn upward even with some negative factors.