Japan Billet Exports Fall 15% in July – Customs Data

Japan is the world’s 2nd largest steel producing country as well as 2nd largest steel exporter.

As per recent data released by Japan customs it is observed that the nation has exported about 300,000 MT Billet in July 2017.

The exports have registered a downfall of 14.28% M-o-M in Jul’17 against 350,000 MT in Jun’17. Taiwan was the favorable destination of Japan’s billet exports in July 2017 as the nation has imported approximately 50% billet (150,000 MT).

While, on Y-o-Y in July 2017 exports registered a downfall of 14.30% against 0.35 MnT in July 2016.

Coming to total exports in CY17 (Jan-Jul), the nation has exported about 2.25 MnT Billet; down by 16.66% as compared to 2.70 MnT in the same preceding last year.

Prior to this, in CY16 (Jan-Dec) the country’s billet export was around 4.26 MnT & in CY15 at 4.56 MnT.

With rising Steel demand from Pacific and South East Asian countries, the crude steel production of Japan was marked at 104.77 MnT in 2016. Meanwhile, in 2017 (Jan’17-Jul’17) the figure of crude steel production stood at 60.91 MnT.

Country wise:

During July 2017, the largest importer of Japan made Billet/Blooms was Taiwan, South Korea & United States which imported 150,000 MT, 90,000 MT & 40,000 MT respectively.

Similarly in the total Billet exports during CY 2017 (Jan-Jul), the major buyers of Japan made Billet was – Taiwan (40.47%), South Korea (31.31%), United States (10.60%), Thailand (7.44%) & Philippines (3.51%).

Key Updates

1. During Jan-July’17, Japan imported around 60% of iron ore from Australia,which was around 43.50 MnT current offer of Fe 62% Fines are at USD 66/MT FoB Australia, While Japanese H2 grade ferrous scrap export prices at Yen 32,500-33,500/MT (USD 295-304/MT) FOB Tokyo Bay

2. The export offers of 150*150 IS 2830 grade billet are currently at USD 510/MT FoB India & 125*125, Q235,China at USD 517/MT CNF Middle East.

3. As per the sources, during last week a export deal of around 6,000 MT billet have been settled to Philippines by Japan based exporters at USD 530/MT CFR.