Japan H-beam Import Increases by 13.5% in F2008

Japanese H-beam import increased by 13.5% to 81,771 tonnes per year in fiscal 2008 (Apr08-Mar09) from fiscal 2007, according to Ministry of Finance. Japanese H-beam users sought low-price imports mainly for civil engineering. General contractors are currently examining to use imported H-beam for buildings.

Averaged price of imported H-beam rose by 21.7% to 86,000 yen per tonne in fiscal 2008 from fiscal 2007, which was lower than domestic makers’ selling price. Some dealers started to import low-price H-beam since yen exchange rate became higher from the end of 2008.

Japanese H-beam export decreased by 59% to 187,936 tonnes per year in fiscal 2008 from fiscal 2007. The export has represented year-on-year decrease since May 2008 and near 80% minus since November 2008. The demand declined due to world economic crisis and the export price was comparatively high to reflect appreciating yen.

H-beam import increased by 104.9% to 6,204 tonnes in March from a year earlier. Averaged import price decreased by 31% to 56,800 yen per tonne along the decline of international market price. The import price maintained cheaper than domestic makers’ selling price at around 68,000 yen.

Japanese H-beam export decreased by 68.4% to 14,682 tonnes in March from a year earlier, which kept low level though the export increased in March from February.