Japan Carbon Steel Export Rises 6.2% in September

Japanese carbon steel export increased by 6.2% to 2.456 million tonnes in September from a year earlier, which increased for 12 months in a row, announced by Japan Iron and Steel Federation on Tuesday. The export kept high level mainly for Southeast Asia with strong demand for automobile and appliances while the export decreased to South Korea and China under lower steel price. The balance change represents Japanese integrated steel makers’ effort to diversify the export destinations.

The total steel export including pig iron and ferroalloy increased by 4.6% to 3.74 million tonnes in September from a year earlier, which increased for 14 months in a row. The volume was record as September topping 3.577 million tonnes in September 2009. The export value was US$ 4.019 billion and 340.3 billion yen, both of which increased for 9 months in a row.

The export of carbon steel galvanizing steel increased by 22.5% to 481,000 tonnes in September from a year earlier, which increased for 10 months in a row, under strong demand for automobile in Asian countries. The carbon steel export decreased by 5.6% to 756,000 tonnes for hot rolled wide strip, which decreased for 3 months in a row.

The total steel export to South Korea deceased by 10.1% to 918,000 tonnes in September from a year earlier, which decreased for the first time in 2 months. The export decreased by 12.2% to 597,000 tonnes for China and by 21.7% to 304,000 tonnes for Taiwan, both of which decreased for 3 months in a row. The export increased by 18.7% to 416,000 tonnes for Thailand, which increased for 11 months in a row. The export to USA also increased by 94.8% to 143,000 tonnes.