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) witness decline by 4% in Q1CY17.
Country has exported 6.35 MnT of flat steel in Q1CY18 which was 6.62 MnT in similar quarter of previous year.
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)- Japan’s exports are estimated to decline by 2.8% in quarter ended Mar’18 as the steelmakers prioritize domestic market over exports due to tightening of domestic supply. Nation’s flat steel export volumes decline over favorable market conditions for steel products in the domestic Japanese market.Strong demand in the building, construction and civil engineering sectors for refurbishment of the Tokyo metropolitan area in time for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Although on monthly premise nation’s flat steel exports increases by 14% in Mar’18 to 2.24 MnT against 1.96 MnT a month ago.
On yearly basis the same move down marginally by 2% in Mar’18 against 2.29 MnT in Mar’17.
Japan: Commodity Wise Flat Steel Exports in Mar’18
| Sub Commodity | Mar’18 | Feb’18 | M-o-M (Change in %) |
Mar’17 | Y-o-Y (Change in %) |
| HRC/Plate | 1.25 | 1.08 | 15.740 | 1.22 | 2.45 |
| Electrical Steel | 0.48 | 0.44 | 9.09 | 0.53 | -9.43 |
| Galvanised Steel | 0.27 | 0.24 | 12.5 | 0.28 | -3.57 |
| CRC | 0.22 | 0.18 | 22.22 | 0.26 | -15.38 |
| Others | 0.02 | 0.01 | 100 | 0.01 | 100 |
| Grand Total | 2.24 | 1.96 | -14% | 2.3 | -3% |
Qty in MnT
Source- SteelMint Research
Country-wise Japan flat steel exports in Q1CY18- Thailand and China were the major flat steel importer of Japan and has imported 1.07 MnT in Q1CY18.
However on monthly basis imports to Thailand went up by 8% to 0.37 MnT in Mar’18 as compared to 0.34 MnT in Feb’18.Also imports by China went up by 6% to 0.36 MnT in Mar’18 against 0.34 MnT in Feb’18.
South Korea’s flat steel imports from Japan stood at 0.82 MnT in Q1CY18. However on M-o-M basis imports by South Korea were around 0.33 MnT Mar’18 surged by 57% against 0.21 MnT in Feb’18.
Other major importers of Japan in Q1 CY18 include Vietnam at 0.45 MnT,India at 0.22 MnT,followed by Bangladesh at 0.20 MnT and Pakistan at 0.16 MnT.
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