Japan Steel Export Hits Record Volume in November 2010

Japanese export of carbon steel products totaled 2.382 million tonnes in November, according to Japan Iron and Steel Federation. The export represented 8.7% year-on-year increase after 2-month decline. Japanese steel export increased mainly for Asia including South Korea, China and Taiwan where steel demand is growing, despite of weak market price and strong yen rate. By month-to-month comparison, the export increased by 7.0% after 2-month decrease.

The total export including special steel increased by 9.6% to 3.578 million tonnes in November from a year earlier. The export volume exceeded monthly record at 3.266 million tonnes marked in November 2009.

Among carbon steel items, hot rolled wide strip increased by 2.7% to 748,000 tonnes from a year earlier, which increased for the first time after 5 months. The export volume also showed year-on-year increase for galvanized steel sheet, plate, cold rolled wide strip, shape steel, electrical sheet and seamless pipe. Meanwhile, the export decreased for welded pipe and bar.

By countries, the total export including special steels increased by 0.3% to 861,000 tonnes for South Korea from a year earlier, turning to increase after 3-month decline. The export increased by 18.1% to 641,000 tonnes for China and by 2.3% to 334,000 tonnes for Taiwan. The export also increased by 53.5% to 134,000 tonnes for the U.S.A. Meanwhile, the export to Thailand decreased by 10.3% to 391,000 tonnes, which decreased for 2 months in a row.