Section Price Increases by 2,000 yen/T in Tokyo, Osaka

Japanese section steels market price increased by 2,000 yen per tonne in Tokyo and Osaka this week. The dealers increase the reselling price while the makers increase the price by 3,000 yen for February order. The market price is 72,000-73,000 yen for equal angle steel and 75,000-77,000 yen for channel steel around Tokyo while equal angle is 70,000 yen and channel is 73,000 yen around Osaka.

The market price of small size equal angle, which Tokyo Steel Manufacturing does not produce, increased by 8,000 yen to around 80,000 yen per tonne from the beginning of February around Tokyo. The small angle inventory held by the dealers is low while the makers cut the order receipt from the dealers.

The dealers receive inquiries from users around Osaka when the users plan to purchase section steels before price hike, according to one dealer source around Osaka. The price would continue increasing more due to the tight supply.