Japan Rebar Output Decreases by 10.7% in July

Japanese reinforcing concrete steel bar output decreased to 864,000 tonnes by 10.7% in July from July or by 8.3% from a year earlier when the demand for building construction is slow for mainly condominium. The output is expected to more decrease in August when electric furnace makers stopped the operation for scheduled furnace refinement. Rebar shipment increased to 1 million tonnes by 1.5% in July from June, which increased for the first time in 2 months. The shipment decreased by 3.1% from a year earlier when each maker increased the shipment for the adjustment of the stock volume. The shipment to domestic market increased to 960,000 tonnes by 0.8% in July from last month while decreased by 5.4% from a year earlier. The export volume increased to 39,000 tonnes by 18.1% in July from June, by 2.4 times in July form a year earlier. Makers accelerated the export, which exported at 82,000 tonnes in March. The export keeps at 30,000-40,000 tonnes per month in these months. Rebar inventory decreased to 535,000 tonnes by 12.6% in July from June or by 9.9% in July from a year earlier held by makers and distributors. Makers’ inventory decreased to 475,000 tonnes by 14.9% in July from June or by 13.1% from a year earlier. On the other hand dealers’ inventory increased to 59,000 tonnes by 9.3% in July from June or by 27.0% in July from a year earlier when small-middle size building construction is reducing. The inventory rate decreased to 53.5% of shipment by 8.7 percentage points in July from June.