Japan H-beam Makers Aim H-beam Export Price to FOB US$ 850

Japanese integrated steel makers and large dealers aim to raise H-beam export price to FOB US$ 850 per tonne after Chinese New Year holidays. The current export price is C&F US$ 800 to East Asia for January contracts. Japanese H-beam makers are pressured by rising raw material prices. The export price is expected to rise for contracts in and after mid February.

H-beam demand is firm in Southeast Asia and Middle East. Japanese H-beam makers have raised the offer price since the beginning of this year because yen rate maintained strong and raw material costs stayed high. They offer FOB US$ 900 per tonne as the least line in balance with domestic selling price and show strong stances to raise the export price in mid February.

H-beam trade is temporarily slowing in Chinese New Year holidays in East Asia. The market price is around US$ 800. Overseas H-beam makers are likely to raise the selling prices and the market price would rise.