Japan Carbon Steel Export Decreases by 12.3% M/M in July

Japanese carbon steel export increased by 10.1% to 2.257 million tonnes in July from a year earlier, announced by Japan Iron & Steel Federation on Wednesday. The export represented year-to-year plus for 10 consecutive months while decreased by 12.3% compared with June when the export decreased to South Korea and China due to weak market price caused by surplus inventory in China. By month-to-month comparison, the export decreased for the first time in 3 months.

The total steel export increased by 4.0% to 3.335 million tonnes in July from a year earlier and represented year-to-year plus for 12 consecutive months. Meanwhile, the export decreased by 13.7% from June and represented first month-to-month down in 3 months. The export value totaled US$ 3.74 billion in July, decreasing by 7.0% compared with June.

The export increased by 47.9% to 491,000 tonnes for zinc coated steel sheet in July from June, month-to-month plus for 8 straight months. Steel plate increased by 0.1% to 301,000 tonnes while forged and welded steel pipe expanded by 4.1 times to 95,000 tonnes. Magnetic steel sheet increased by 29.5% to 72,000 tonnes and steel bar increased by 6.0% to 19,000 tonnes. Meanwhile, hot rolled strip decreased by 9.4% to 647,000 tonns, first month-to-month minus in 13 months. Cold strip decreased by 4.4% to 313,000 tonnes, shaped steel decreased by 7.8% to 61,000 tonnes, seamless steel tube decreased by 1.2% to 50,000 tonnes and steel wire rod decreased by 5.5% to 38,000 tonnes.

The total steel export decreased by 9.3% to 795,000 tonnes to South Korea in July from June, first month-to-month down in 14 months. The export to China decreased by 4.5% to 605,000 tonnes, first month-to-month minus in 9 months. The export to Taiwan decreased by 32.3% to 198,000 tonnes, first month-to-month minus in 12 months. On the other hand, the export increased by 37.0% to 36,600 tonnes to Thailand, which increased for 9 straight months. The export to USA increased by 75% to 1490,000 tonnes, plus for 4 consecutive months.