Weak Plate Steel Price in Tokyo

Plate steel market price is still weak at around 95,000-100,000 yen per tonne for standard size with 19 millimeters thick, 5 feet width and 10 feet length and around 110,000 yen for cut processed plate around Tokyo. The price is likely to keep weak when the demand is still very slow with no sign for recovery.

The building demand gets lower especially for small- and mid-sized building after the plate processors finished the delivery for ongoing construction. The building demand is expected to keep low level when domestic building start keeps very slow for condominium and private sector. The demand is also very slow for construction and industrial machinery.

The plate dealers and processors’ inventory adjustment progresses when they reduced the new order to the makers. However, the stock level is still high for the slow demand and could take more time for adjustment to normal level.

The demand is expected to increase for bridge construction in and after October and to improve for construction machinery, even slightly and at slow pace, from the bottom. However, the overall demand is expected to keep low level for foreseeable future.