Japan Imported Flat Steel Inventory Hit First Drop in 6 months

Japanese imported flat rolled steel inventory at quay around Tokyo and Osaka decreased by 4.7% or 8,000 tonnes to 162,000 tonnes at the end of August from July, which decreased for the first time in 6 months, according to Japanese major steel trading firm, Hanwa Co. The inventory decreased due to lower import. The inventory increased by 9.4% or 14,000 tonnes from a year earlier.

The flat rolled steel inventory decreased by 11.2% or 11,000 tonnes to 87,000 tonnes around Osaka at the end of August from July. The stock decreased by 11.1% or 1,000 tonnes to 8,000 tonnes for plate steel, by 11.1% or 4,000 tonnes to 32,000 tonnes for hot rolled coil and by 14.7% or 6,000 tonnes to 47,000 tonnes for cold rolled coil.

The inventory increased by 4.1% or 3,000 tonnes to 75,000 tonnes around Tokyo at the end of August from July. The stock was 10,000 tonnes for plate as July. The stock increased by 14.2% or 5,000 tonnes to 40,000 tonnes for hot rolled coil while the stock decreased by 7.4% or 2,000 tonnes to 25,000 tonnes for cold rolled coil.