According to latest customs data released, Japan flat steel exports which includes 7208 (HR coils /Plates), 7209 (CR coils), 7225 (Electrical sheets),7210/7212(GP/GC) reported decline of 4% in CY’18.Nation has exported 26.21 MnT of flat steel in CY18 as compared to 27.27 MnT in CY17.
Also on monthly basis country’s flat steel exports inch down by 1% in Dec’18 to 2.08 MnT against 2.11 MnT in Nov’18.
Meanwhile on yearly basis the same fell by 11% in Dec’18 against 2.33 MnT in Dec’17.
Thus strong demand in domestic market in construction sector ahead of 2020 Tokyo Olympics results to decline in exports volumes in CY18. Also USA has imposed 25% of trade tariffs on Japanese steel exports which also resulted to decline in nation’s export volumes in CY18.
Meanwhile as per market reports Japanese based steelmakers couldn’t produce as they had planned last year due to series of natural disaster. Also it is anticipated that Japanese flat steel exports to remain flat this year amid higher domestic output in CY19.
Japan: Commodity Wise Flat Steel Exports in CY18
| Sub Commodity | CY’18 | CY’17 | Change in % | Dec’18 | Nov’18 | Change in % | Dec’17 | Y-o-Y (Change in %) |
| HRC/Plate | 13.22 | 13.86 | -5 | 1.04 | 1.05 | -1 | 1.22 | -15 |
| Electrical Steel | 5.68 | 5.82 | -2 | 0.44 | 0.47 | -6 | 0.47 | -6 |
| Galvanised Steel | 2.93 | 3.01 | -3 | 0.22 | 0.24 | -8 | 0.24 | -8 |
| CRC | 2.43 | 2.51 | -3 | 0.23 | 0.19 | 21 | 0.21 | 10 |
| Pipes & Tubes | 1.78 | 1.91 | -7 | 0.13 | 0.14 | -7 | 0.17 | -24 |
| Others | 0.18 | 0.15 | 20 | 0.01 | 0.02 | -50 | 0.02 | -50 |
| Grand Total | 26.21 | 27.27 | -4 | 2.08 | 2.11 | -1 | 2.33 | -11 |
Quantity in MnT
Source-SteelMint Research
Country-wise Japan flat steel exports in CY’18- China being the major importer of Japan occupying the share of 17% (4.38 MnT) of total exports in CY’18.
Thailand being second major importer occupies the share of 17% and stood at 4.34 MnT in CY’18.
Other importers include South Korea (12%) with 0.3 MnT, Vietnam (7%) with 0.12 MnT and Indonesia (6%) with 0.13 MnT procurements in Dec’18.
Japan Flat Steel Imports in CY’18- According to latest customs data released, Japan flat steel imports which includes 7208 (HR coils /Plates),7209 (CR coils),7225 (Electrical sheets),7210/7212(GP/GC) stood at 4.29 MnT in CY’18 plunged by 7% M-o-M against 4.62 MnT in the previous year.
Country-wise Japan flat steel imports in CY18- South Korea was the major flat steel exporter of Japan and has exported 2.78 MnT and occupied the share of 65% of share in CY18.
Second major exporter was Taiwan at 0.95 MnT accounts for 22% of share in CY18.
Other major importer was China at 0.49 MnT oocupies the share of 12% in CY18. Followed this Thailand, Sweden Vietnam and United States also exported flat steel in small volumes in CY18.
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