Japan Billet Exports Drop 6% in August

Japan Billet exports fall by 6% M-o-M in Aug’18, Taiwan remained the largest importer, SteelMint learned in recent released custom data.

Japan’s billet exports recorded at 0.30 MnT, fall by 6% as against 0.32 MnT in Jul’18. However on yearly comparison billet exports stood same as against Aug’17 at 0.30 MnT.

Further, the country’s total billet exports during Jan-Aug’18 stood at 2.55 MnT billet, slightly fall which was about 2.56 during Jan-Aug’17.

Taiwan remains the largest importer of Japanese Billet in Jan-Aug’18, as the nation contribute around 44.91% (1.15 MnT), followed by South Korea 26.44% (0.67 MnT), Thailand 13.67% (0.35 MnT), Philippines 5.58% (0.14 MnT) & US 3.66% (0.09 MnT).

Key Updates:

— In Aug’18, the crude steel production of Japan stood at 8.8 MnT, increased by 5% as against 8.42 MnT in July’18. Meanwhile on Y-o-Y basis nation’s crude steel output inch up by 1% as compared to 8.72 MnT in Aug’17.

–Japanese H2 grade ferrous scrap export price assessment is at Yen 36,500-37,500/MT FOB Japan.

–During Jan-Aug’18, Japan imported around 59.02% of iron ore from Australia, which was around 49.06 MnT. Meanwhile the import of iron ore during the same preceding last year was at 49.61 MnT. Current offers of Fe 62% Fines (Australia) are at USD 69/MT CNF China.

–As per recent customs data, Japan exported at 0.61 MnT ferrous scrap in Aug’18 witnessing a slight increase of 3.35% M-o-M as against 0.59 MnT in Jul’18.