One of the world’s largest metals exporters, Japan, has recently released stainless steel import figures for September 2022, which inched down by 17% over the previous month, as per customs data.
Japan’s stainless steel imports were recorded at 19,655 t in September, a fall of 17% as against 23,652 t in Aug.
Import scenario
Stainless steel finished flats imports drop: Finished flats stainless steel imports stood at 18,289 t in the month under review, a sharp decrease of 16.53% m-o-m against 21,910 t in the previous month.
South Korea was the largest exporter with 7,363 t followed by China and Taiwan with 5,995 t and 3,775 t respectively.
Finished longs stainless steel imports down: Finished longs stainless steel imports stood at 1,367 t in September, a decrease of 22% m-o-m against 1,742 t in the previous month.
China was the largest exporter with 401 t followed by Taiwan and South Korea with 387 t and 362 t respectively.
Market sources informed that the on-month drop was partially due to slow unloading at ports due to terrible weather in September. So it doesn’t mean a recovery of imported finished stainless steel demand in Japan.
Major exchange nickel prices rise m-o-m
The LME 3-months futures prices have risen sharply by $700-710/t on a monthly basis in September to $22,840/t as compared to $22,130/t in August.
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