Weak Plate Steel Price in Tokyo

Plate steel market price is weak at around 95,000-100,000 yen per tonne for standard sized product with 19 millimeters thick, 5 feet width and 10 feet length and around 110,000 yen for cut processed materials around Tokyo. The market price is decreasing due to low demand.

Shearing processors’ operating rate decreased by 30-40% when their award volume is decreasing for small-middle building construction and large building construction plan is postponed or canceled. Shearing processors’ operating rate keeps 20-30% for construction machine and industrial machine. The demand decreased by 60-70% for both machines in July from a year earlier. Machine makers’ inventory adjustment hasn’t been progressed.

Plate makers are reducing the supply volume. Dealers are holding off the buying. They are making progress the inventory adjustment. However, inventory level in the market keeps high yet. Some dealers’ inventory level is over 3 months for shipment. Anticipation of a fall is continuing due to excess inventory.