Japan carbon Steel Import Raises by 16.6% in October

Japanese carbon steel import increased by 16.6% to 310,606 tonnes in October from September, according to Japan Iron & Steel Federation on Monday. The import increased for the first time in 4 months when Chinese steel export increased to over 50,000 tonnes for the first time in 3 months. Competition by Asian steel makers became obvious when Hyundai Steel started the operation of n.2 blast furnace. South Korean and Chinese steel makers seem to be strengthening sales of steel products to Japan. Japanese automobile makers, appliance makers and shipbuilders are increasing adoption of imported steel products due to higher yen rate.

The import decreased by 0.3% to 22,900 tonnes for special steel products, 2.4% to 53,493 tonnes for secondary processed steel products. The import decreased for the first time in 4 months.

The import increased by 2.1 times to 4998 tonnes for H-beam, 85.6% to 21,119 tonnes for wire rod, 2.5% to 23,454 tonnes for plate, 19.3% to 124,290 tonnes for hot rolled sheet, 1.5% to 68,529 tonnes for cold rolled sheet and 26.0% to 43,274 tonnes for zinc coated steel sheet.

The import increased by 4.6% to 198,395 tonnes from South Korea, 2.6 times to 53,758 tonnes from China and 9.1% to 53,900 tonnes from Taiwan.