Strong Sheet Steel Price in Tokyo

Sheet steel market price is strong at around 60,000-62,000 yen per tonne for hot rolled flat steel, 60,000-63,000 yen per tonne for pickling steel, 73000-77000 yen for cold rolled steel sheet, 85,000-88,000 yen for hot rolled based coated steel and 95,000-980,000 yen for cold rolled based coated steel.

The demand is taking time to recover, but the demand for automobile and appliance is starting to recover. The operation rate of coil centers is below 50% in May.

However, major dealers are raising the reselling price when their inventory adjustment is progressing and imported steel sheet price is rising due to upward trend in Asian market price. Users are resisting the price hike under low demand for building materials but coil centers and dealers try to improve the profit when they are getting the red.