- SUS304 CR prices hold near JPY 610,000/t
- Weak cargo movement limits spot market transactions
JapanMetalDaily: Japan’s nickel-bearing stainless steel market remained stable during the week, with SUS304 cold-rolled coil prices holding at around JPY 610,000/t. Distributors continued to raise offer prices by approximately JPY 10,000/t to offset higher procurement costs and improve margins amid elevated input costs.
Despite the firm pricing trend, overall trading activity remained sluggish. Market participants reported weak cargo movement, as downstream buying remained cautious and spot transactions were limited. Although distributors have been gradually passing on higher costs since the beginning of the year, current selling prices are still considered insufficient to fully compensate for rising procurement expenses, suggesting that further price adjustments may be pursued in the coming months.
Demand trends remained mixed across product segments. Stainless steel round bars continued to benefit from robust demand from the semiconductor sector, while demand for flat products, particularly steel plates, remained weak, weighing on overall market activity. As a result, the Japanese stainless steel market is expected to maintain a firm pricing tone, although subdued demand is likely to limit transaction volumes in the near term.
Note: This article is published as part of a content exchange agreement between JapanMetalDaily and BigMint.
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