Tokyo Steel Raises All Steel Items by 5,000-8,000 yen/t

Tokyo Steel Manufacturing announced on Tuesday the firm increases the selling price of all steel items by 5,000-8,000 yen per tonne for distributors for April order. The firm increases the prices by total 11,000-13,000 yen through the hikes for 3 months in a row. The firm tries to cover higher raw materials cost through the hike while the firm increases the tight supplied pickling steel by 7,000-8,000 yen and H-beam, plate and concrete reinforcing steel bar by 5,000 yen.

The firm expects higher raw materials cost pushes up steel price. However, the price increase could be moderate due to slower demand and higher production capacity in China compared with situation in 2008.

The firm offers FOB US$ 780 per tonne for H-beam and US$ 730 for hot rolled coil for April-May export shipment. However, the H-beam price is just offer while the firm is willing to increase the export depending on the price level.

The firm also increases the spot sales price by 5,000 yen to 74,000 yen per tonne for H-beam, to 65,000 yen for rebar and to 74,000 yen for plate for direct transaction to the users.

The firm started large diameter square steel pipe at Tahara plant on Friday. The firm expects the domestic sales would be in 2010 for STKR grade and in early 2011 for BCR grade after the test production and getting certification process for the grades.