Japan Steel Export Statistics: July’19

Japan, the world’s third-largest crude steel producer has observed a rise in exports of ferrous scrap, semi-finished and finish flat steel while exports of finished long steel and graphite electrode witnessed an increase on the monthly basis in Jul’19, the customs data maintained with SteelMint showed.

According to world steel association, Japan’s crude steel output declined slightly in Jul’19 and stood at 8.39 MnT, down 5% M-o-M as compared to 8.79 MnT in Jun’19, while on a yearly basis the production remained almost stable as against 8.42 MnT in Jul’18.

Ferrous Scrap: As per recent data released by the country’s customs department,-Japanese ferrous scrap exports increased by 10% M-o-M in July’19 and were recorded at 0.67 MnT, as against 0.61 MnT in June’19. On a yearly basis, scrap exports increased by 14% M-o-M from 0.59 MnT reported during the same period a year ago, in July’18. Fewer bookings from South Korea were observed on account of uncertainty and gap between suppliers and buyers’ expectations, while other markets like South East Asia showed increased interest in Japanese scrap on volatility in the global market.

Country-wise: South Korea remained the largest importer of ferrous scrap from Japan with a share of 42% in total scrap imports from Japan, as it imported 0.28 MnT in July’19, declining by 20% M-o-M against 0.35 MnT imported in June’19. Vietnam, with a share of 32% stood at second position with 0.21 MnT of imports in July’19, rising by 61% M-o-M. Followed by other prominent importers Taiwan (0.10 MnT, up by 100% M-o-M) and Bangladesh (0.02 MnT, down by 50% M-o-M) with a share of 15% and 3% respectively during the month.

Finish flat – Japan finish flat exports accounted for 2.23 MnT in Jul’19 increases by 6% as compared to 2.11 MnT in the previous month. As per METI Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in its quarter results mentioned that the nation’s flat steel exports will increase slightly on yearly basis amid the impact caused by the occurrence of natural disasters. Meanwhile on a yearly basis, the same moved up by 3% in Jul’19 as compared to 2.17 MnT in Jul’18. In Jan-Jul’19 nation’s finish flat exports stood around 14.04 MnT increases by 6% against 13.3 MnT in Jan-Jul’18.

Country-wise: Thailand remained the largest importer and accounts for 0.33 MnT in Jul’19 up by 3% against 0.32 MnT in Jun’19. Following this in Jul’19 nation’s flat steel exports to China stood at 0.34 MnT and South Korea at 0.28 MnT and Vietnam at 0.15 MnT remained stable since last two months.

Finished Long steel: Long steel exports from Japan fell by 3% M-o-M in July’19 and stood at 0.17 MnT as compared to 0.18 MnT in Jun’19. On yearly premises, exports dropped by 3% Y-o-Y as against 0.18 MnT in July’18.

Country Wise: The major exports of Finish Long Steel in July’19 were registered through South Korea as it imported 0.07 MnT rising by 12% M-o-M, followed by Thailand importing 0.2 MnT of finished Long steel, down by 9 % against the previous month.

Semi Finished: Japan’s semifinished exports recorded a significant rise in Jul’19 as the country exported 0.33 MnT, up 10% M-o-M as against 0.3 MnT in Jun’19. On a yearly basis, the exports dropped by 3% M-o-M as against 0.32 MnT in Jul’18.

Country-wise: Taiwan remains the largest importer of Japanese semi Finished products with a share of 34% of share as it imported 0.11 MnT down 8% M-o-M, followed by Thailand (0.10 MnT, up 100% M-o-M) and South Korea (0.08 MnT, down 38% M-o-M) with 30% and 24% share respectively.

Quantity in MT
Source- SteelMint Stats & Customs Data