Japan Steels Offer Electrical Steel Price Hike

International non oriented electrical steel market price shows sign to recover after continuous decrease since last summer. Some of Chinese steel makers increase the selling price when the inventory decreased in China. Japanese makers apparently try to increase the spot export price in and after February shipment.

The makers may not fully increase the price due to the oversupply in Asia mainly in China and seasonal slower demand.

The market price decreased since last summer while the price peaked out at FOB US$ 1,000 yen per tonne in last spring. The price decreased due to the oversupply and slow economy. Some users require the price of less than US$ 700.

International market price is apparently steady for high grade grain oriented electrical steel with lower core loss, which Japanese makers have an advantage. The demand is firm when large power plants construction starts.

Japanese makers apparently failed to increase the export price for heavy electric machinery industries in Europe and USA for January-June under severe competition with the rival steel makers along with Chinese oversupply of lower grade products. Japanese makers try to increase the price for July-December.