Japan Carbon Steel Export Decreases by 8.2% in June

Japanese carbon steel export decreased by 8.2% to 2.362 million tonnes in June from a year earlier, which decreased for 4 straight months, according to Japan Iron & Steel Federation. By month-to-month comparison, the export increased by 6.7% and upturned after 3 months when Japanese automobile and electric appliance makers recovered their productive operations slightly. However, Japanese integrated steel makers continued to have tough export negotiations since Asian steel market price maintained low mainly due to Chinese steel export increase. Japanese total steel export decreased by 9.3% to 3.506 million tonnes in June from a year earlier, year-to-year minus for 4 consecutive months.

By items, the export decreased by 14.7% to 738,000 tonnes for wide hot strip, year-to-year minus for 3 months in a row. The export decreased by 17.1% to 419,000 tonnes for galvanized steel sheet, minus for 4 straight months. The export decreased by 3% to 328,000 tonnes for wide cold strip, minus for 4 months. The export decreased by 9.6% to 63,000 tonnes for welded steel tube and by 1.6% to 51,000 tonnes for wire rod. On the other hand, the export increased by 5.2% to 345,000 tonnes for plate, by 12.7% to 89,000 tonnes for magnetic steel sheet, by 16.9% to 59,000 tonnes for seamless steel tube and by 0.2% to 69,000 tonnes for shaped steel.

By countries, the total steel export decreased by 20.4% to 777,000 tonnes to South Korea, year-to-year minus for 7 consecutive months. The export decreased by 16.2% to 583,000 tonnes to China, minus for 3 straight months. The export decreased by 17.8% to 366,000 tonnes to Thailand, minus for 2 months in a row. The export decreased by 30.4% to 282,000 tonnes to Taiwan, the first down in 2 months, while the export increased by 49.6% to 182,000 tonnes to the U.S.A.