Japan Carbon Steel Export Hits First Increase in 6 Months

Japanese carbon steel export increased by 3.0% to 2.404 million tonnes in August from a year earlier, which increased for the first time in 6 months, announced by Japan Iron and Steel Federation on Monday. The commodity grade export was severe under weak market price in Asia due to capacity expansion by Chinese steel makers and historical yen appreciation. However, the export increased for transplants of Japanese manufacturers when they increased the operation rate from slowdown after the major earthquake. The export increased by 12.6% from July, which increased for the first time in 2 months.

Japanese total steel export decreased by 2.9% to 3.483 million tonnes in August from a year earlier, which decreased for 6 months in a row. The export value increased by 12.4% to US$ 4.305 billion, which increased for 20 months in a row. The value increased by 1.4% to 335.3 billion yen, which increased for 2 months in a row.

The carbon steel export increased by 19.9% to 786,000 tonnes for hot rolled wide strip in August from a year earlier. The export increased by 3.8% to 336,000 tonnes for cold rolled wide strip and by 24.1% to 88,000 tonnes for electrical sheet. The export increased by 7.7% to 73,000 tonnes for shapes and by 21.1% to 54,000 tonnes for wire rod.

The carbon steel export decreased by 11.1% to 464,000 tonnes for galvanized steel in August from a year earlier. The export decreased by 0.7% to 284,000 tonnes for plate and by 12.7% to 77,000 tonnes for welded pipe. The export decreased by 2.5% to 58,000 tonnes for seamless pipe and by 27.0% to 26,000 tonnes for bar.

The total export decreased by 25.9% to 694,000 tonnes for South Korea in August from a year earlier, which decreased for 9 months in a row. The export decreased by 0.3% to 605,000 tonnes for China, which decreased for 5 months in a row. However, the export increased by 7.0% to 470,000 tonnes for Thailand. The export increased by 6.8% to 298,000 tonnes for Taiwan and by 15.6% to 155,000 tonnes for USA.