Japan Import Flat Steel Stock Decreases by 1.5% in September

Japanese imported flat steel inventory at quay in Tokyo and Osaka decreased by 1.5% or 2,000 tonnes to 130,000 tonnes at end of September from August, announced by Hanwa Co. The inventory was 40% or 87,000 tonnes lower than a year earlier level. Despite of the slow demand, the stock decreased when the import volume stayed low.

The inventory in Osaka decreased by 6.1% or 4,000 tonnes to 61,000 tonnes at end September from August. The stock declined by 11.7% or 4,000 tonnes to 30,000 tonnes for cold rolled coil and by 20% or 2,000 tonnes to 8,000 tonnes for plate while the hot rolled coil stock increased by 9.5% or 2,000 tonnes to 23,000 tonnes.

The stock in Tokyo increased by 2.9% or 2,000 tonnes to 69,000 tonnes at end September from a month ago. The cold coil stock was flat at 14,000 tonnes. The plate stock decreased by 10% or 1,000 tonnes to 9,000 tonnes while the stock increased by 6.9% or 3,000 tonnes to 46,000 tonnes for hot coil.

One importer source sees the inventory in quay would be flat at current level. The import is unlikely to soar when the demand is at low level and the buyers are reluctant to increase the purchase, the source said.