Rebar Market Price Hits Bottom, Tokyo

Concrete reinforcing steel bar market price hits bottom at 56,000 yen per tonne for direct shipment from makers to users and 59,000 yen for wholesalers around Tokyo. The price is lower by about 10,000 yen than recent high price in June while hit bottom after 2-month downtrend in response to rebound of ferrous scrap price. General contractors are expected to order rebar in large volume in late August or early September. Rebar makers aim to raise the selling price.

The market price reached 65,000-70,000 yen in June while sharply dropped by about 10,000 yen since ferrous scrap price downturned and general contractors required the price cut. Some of makers and dealers had accepted orders at even cheaper price less than 55,000 yen. Currently rebar sellers returned to strong positions thanks to the rebound of ferrous scrap price.

General contractors’ order volume was as low as approximately 100,000 tonnes per month in June-July. The order volume is expected to recover the level of 200,000-300,000 tonnes per month in late August or early September. Rebar makers aim to raise the selling price to above 60,000 yen when ferrous scrap price is reaching 30,000 yen per tonne. Dealers are also ready to raise the reselling price.