Japan Imported Flat Steel Stock Drops by 4.5% in April

Japanese imported flat rolled steel stock decreased by 4.5% or 7,000 tonnes to 148,000 tonnes in Tokyo and Osaka at the end of April from March, which decreased for the first time in 2 months, announced by Japanese major trading firm, Hanwa Co. on Thursday. The inventory decreased by 0.6% or 1,000 tonnes from a year earlier. The demand apparently increased around Tokyo.

The inventory increased by 1.1% or 1,000 tonnes to 85,000 tonnes in Osaka at the end of April from March. The inventory decreased by 36.3% or 4,000 tonnes to 7,000 tonnes for plate and by 3.2% or 1,000 tonnes to 30,000 tonnes for hot rolled coil. The cold rolled coil stock increased by 14.2% or 6,000 tonnnes to 48,000 tonnes.

The inventory decreased by 11.2% or 8,000 tonnes to 63,000 tonnes in Tokyo at the end of April from March. The inventory was 9,000 tonnes for plate as the level in March. The stock decreased by 9.7% or 4,000 tonnes to 37,000 tonnes for hot rolled coil and by 19.0% or 4,000 tonnes to 17,000 tonnes for cold rolled coil.

Japanese importer and other industry sources see the import volume in May keeps almost same level as April level. Some of the source sees the import growth is slow despite higher yen exchange rate when the demand is weak. The inventory would keep the level.