Japan Import Flat Steel Stock Declines by 5.5% in May

Japanese imported flat steel inventory at quay in Tokyo and Osaka decreased by 5.5% or 7,000 tonnes to 120,000 tonnes in May from April, which decreased for the first time in 2 months, announced by Japanese major steel trading firm, Hanwa Co. on Friday. The inventory was 35.8% or 67,000 tonnes lower than a year earlier level. The lower stock was due to lower new arrivals, not higher demand.

The inventory in Osaka decreased by 3.2% or 2,000 tonnes to 59,000 tonnes in May from April. The inventory decreased by 25% or 1,000 tonnes to 3,000 tonnes for plate, by 6.4% or 2,000 tonnes to 29,000 tonnes for cold rolled coil while the stock increased by 3.8% or 1,000 tonnes to 27,000 tonnes for hot rolled coil.

The stock in Tokyo decreased by 7.5% or 5,000 tonnes to 61,000 tonnes in May from April. The stock decreased by 11.1% or 1,000 tonnes to 8,000 tonnes for plate, by 6.8% or 3,000 tonnes to 41,000 tonnes for hot rolled coil and by 7.6% or 1,000 tonnes to 12,000 tonnes for cold rolled coil.