- China, Indonesia drive record surge in Japan’s imports
- Nickel-based cold-rolled imports reach new high in Sep
Japan Metal Daily: Japan’s Ministry of Finance recorded a sharp rise in stainless steel cold-rolled coil and plate imports in September, which surged 45.6% y-o-y to 24,091 t the highest on record. Imports from China rose 56.7% to 12,316 t, while Indonesia’s shipments jumped more than threefold to 1,217 t, both marking record levels. Nickel-based cold-rolled imports also reached a new high, increasing 56.8% y-o-y to 20,837 t, exceeding 20,000 t for the first time.
The surge appears to have occurred ahead of Japan’s anti-dumping investigation into nickel-based cold-rolled products from China and Taiwan, initiated in late July. Market sources indicate that “last-minute buying” drove the increase, and while arrivals in October are expected to remain elevated, volumes are projected to normalize from November onward. However, the buildup in imported inventory may continue to pressure the domestic stainless steel market for some time.
Overall stainless steel material imports (including plates, strips, wire rods, wires, and pipes) rose 33.4% in September to 33,062 t, with the most notable growth seen in nickel-based cold-rolled products.
Note: This article has been published in accordance with a content exchange agreement between Japan Metal Daily and BigMint.
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