Japanese Stainless Product Export Decreases by 22% in 2009

Japanese annual export of stainless steel products, including flat products, long products and tubes, totaled 1.048 million tonnes in 2009, down by 21.9% from the previous year, according to Japan Stainless Steel Association. Stainless steel demand declined especially for construction materials along global economy deterioration. The export dropped to 54,943 tonnes in January 2009 and 54,915 tonnes in February, almost the half volume of the ordinary level. The monthly export stayed below 100,000 tonnes until June while recovered to 110,000 tonnes in July.

The export of flat products decreased by 20% to 786,556 tonnes in 2009 from 2008. Long products decreased by 33.3% to 101,812 tonnes. Tubes decreased by 23% to 159,948 tonnes.

The export decreased by 11.6% to 388,381 tonnes for hot rolled stainless steel sheet and by 26.7% to 398,174 tonnes for cold rolled stainless steel sheet. The export lowered by 36.7% to 32,919 tonnes for stainless steel bar and by 61.6% to 4,692 tonnes for shaped stainless steel. Welded pipe export decreased by 33.3% to 6,909 tonnes. Secondary processed stainless steel wire decreased by 29% to 10,297 tonnes.