As per latest customs data, Japan flat steel imports which includes 7208 (HR coils /Plates),7209 (CR coils),7225 (Electrical sheets),7210/7212(GP/GC) recorded fall of 24% M-o-M in Aug’18 to 0.28 MnT as compared to 0.37 MnT in Jul’18.
Thus nation’s flat steel imports hit the lowest lowest 4 years and 7 months low.Previously Japan flat steel imports is recorded at 0.28 MnT in Sep’13.
Meanwhile on yearly basis the nation’s flat steel imports nosedive by 27% in Aug’18 as compared to 0.37 MnT in Aug’17.
During eight months of CY18 (Jan-Aug) nation’s flat steel imports stood at 2.7 MnT lower by 11% against 3.08 MnT in corresponding time frame of previous year.
Japan crude steel output moved up 5% to 8.80 MnT in Aug’18 which was 8.42 MnT in Jul’18.Meanwhile South Korea is focusing in domestic market over strong demand and on the other hand Chinese mills have lowred their flat steel export volumes to major importing nations amid winter production cut to curb smog.Thus these reasons can be attributed for decline import volumes to Japan in Aug’18.
Grade-Wise Japan Flat Steel Imports in Aug’17
| Sub Commodity |
Aug’18 | Jul’18 | M-o-M (change in %) |
Aug’17 | Y-o-Y (Change in %) |
| HRC/Plate | 0.13 | 0.17 | -23.53 | 0.16 | -11.00 |
| Galvanized Steel | 0.07 | 0.08 | -12.50 | 0.08 | 0.14 |
| CRC | 0.06 | 0.08 | -25.00 | 0.1 | -11.11 |
| Electrical Steel | 0.01 | 0.04 | -75.00 | 0.03 | 0.00 |
| Others | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Grand Total | 0.28 | 0.37 | -24% | 0.37 | -27% |
Quantity in MnT
Source-SteelMint Research
Country-Wise Japan Flat Steel imports in Aug’17- In Aug’17, Japan imported 0.19 MnT from South Korea in Aug’18 fell by 17% against 0.23 MnT in Jul’18.
Meanwhile second largest exporter was Taiwan at 0.06 MnT of flat steel in Aug’18 as compared to 0.10 Mnt in Jul’18.
Lastly,China exported 0.02 MnT to Japan in Aug’18 against 0.05 MnT in preceding month.
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