Japan Carbon Steel Export Rises by 17.3% in July from June

Japanese carbon steel export decreased by 9.2% to 2.051 million tonnes in July from a year earlier, which decreased for 10 months in a row, announced by Japan Iron and Steel Federation on Tuesday. The export increased by 17.3% from June, which hit 2 digit increase for 2 months in a row, due to higher demand from South Korea and China. The export is likely to increase for August and September when integrated steel makers get higher order mainly for sheet steel.

The special steel export increased by 2.9% to 411,000 tonnes in July from June while the volume was 25.2% lower than a year earlier level. The export of semi-finished steel increased by 18.1% to 618,000 tonnes from June while the export decreased by 54.1% from a year earlier level. The export of processed steel products increased by 15.5% to 46,000 tonnes from June while the volume was 30.1% lower than a year earlier level. The volume increased from June for all categories under recovering demand in offshore market.

The total steel export including pig iron and ferroalloy increased by 11.6% to 3.207 million tonnes in July from June, which increased for 3 months in a row, while the volume decreased by 3.2% from a year earlier level. The export value was 2.815 billion US dollar and 267.6 billion yen, both of which increased for 2 months in a row.

The carbon steel seamless pipe export increased by 38.6% to 50,000 tonnes in July from June. The carbon steel export increased by 35.9% to 332,000 tonnes for galvanizing steel, by 34.2% to 328,000 tonnes for cold rolled wide strip, by 27.5% to 714,000 tonnes for hot rolled wide strip, by 14.1% to 301,000 tonnes for plate and by 13.6% to 66,000 tonnes for shapes. The export recorded year to year increase for hot rolled wide strip for the first time in 10 months and the export increased for the first time in 9 months for cold rolled wide strip and for the first time in 3 months for plate.

The total steel export to South Korea increased by 18.5% to 877,000 tonnes in July from a year earlier. The export increased by 9.1% to 634,000 tonnes for China. The export to South Korea and China increased for 2 months in a row. The export decreased by 25.1% to 292,000 tonnes for Taiwan, by 35.3% to 267,000 tonnes for Thailand and by 44.8% to 85,000 tonnes for USA.