Japan Import Flat Steel Stock Drops by 13.1% in April

Imported flat steel inventory at quays in Tokyo and Osaka decreased by 13.1% (30,000 tonnes) to 198,000 tonnes at the end of April from a month ago, announced Hanwa Co. on Tuesday. Arrivals from offshore sources were low and the stock level decreased for 4 consecutive months. Compared with a year earlier, the stock level increased by 14,000 tonnes or 7.6%.

The stock decreased by 12,000 tonnes or 13.0% to 92,000 tonnes in Osaka at the end of April from March. The stock decreased by 1,000 tonnes or 8.3% to 12,000 tonnes for plate, by 5,000 tonnes or 14.7% to 34,000 tonnes for hot rolled coil and by 6,000 tonnes or 13.0% to 46,000 tonnes for cold rolled coil.

The stock decreased by 18,000 tonnes or 14.5% to 106,000 tonnes in Tokyo at the end of April from March. The stock decreased by 2,000 tonnes or 18.1% to 11,000 tonnes for plate, by 11,000 tonnes or 16.1% to 68,000 tonnes for hot coil and by 5,000 tonnes or 18.5% to 27,000 tonnes for cold coil.