Japan Rebar Shipment Rises by 3.9% in F2011

Japanese shipment of concrete reinforcing steel bar increased by 3.9% to 8.168 million tonnes in fiscal 2011 ended March 2012 from fiscal 2010. The shipment recovered 8 million tonnes for the first time in 3 years while the shipment was less than 8 million tonnes for fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2009 due to slow demand after Lehman shock.

The production increased by 5.4% to 8.301 million tonnes in fiscal 2011 from fiscal 2010. The production also recovered 8 million tonnes while the level was still lower than more than 9 million tonnes in fiscal 2008.

The rebar shipment was 737,000 tonnes in March, which was 9.7% higher than February level and 8.6% higher than a year earlier level. The shipment recovered 700,000 tonnes level for the first time in 4 months. The production was 757,000 tonnes, which was 6.2% higher than February level and 18.5% higher than a year earlier level.