- SUS304 cold-rolled prices hover around JPY 600,000/t in Nagoya
- Demand remains stable but lacks strong growth momentum
Japan Metal Daily: Nickel-based stainless steel cold-rolled sheet prices in Japan’s Nagoya market remained firm in June, supported by continued efforts across the distribution chain to pass through higher procurement costs. SUS304 cold-rolled stainless steel was heard trading at around JPY 600,000/t, reflecting sustained pricing strength despite only modest improvements in underlying demand.
Market participants noted that domestic mills have implemented cumulative price increases exceeding JPY 100,000/t since last summer. As a result, distributors have remained focused on raising selling prices to protect margins and recover higher replacement costs. Many stockists and service centers are targeting price hikes of approximately JPY 10,000/t per month, indicating continued confidence in the market’s pricing environment.
Additional support has emerged from expectations surrounding provisional anti-dumping measures on stainless steel products from China and Taiwan. Market participants believe the move could reduce import competition and provide further support to domestic pricing levels, improving the ability of distributors to implement additional increases.
The disconnect between firm prices and moderate demand reflects the market’s current structure, where supply-side cost pressures continue to outweigh demand-side weakness. Elevated nickel-linked procurement costs and higher replacement values have become the primary drivers of pricing decisions across the supply chain.
Note: This article is published as part of a content exchange agreement between JapanMetalDaily and BigMint.
Leave a Reply