Japan, the world’s third largest steel producer, has registered growth in its monthly finished steel imports on account of declined domestic productions.
Finish Long Imports
Japan Finish long steel imports grew by 20% on monthly basis as well as yearly basis and stood at 0.06 MnT in Apr’19 against 0.05 MnT in Mar’19 and over a year ago i.e. Apr’18.
Factors could have been attributed towards surge in Finish long Imports is low crude steel production, which recorded at 8.65 MnT in Apr’19, down by around 5% against 9.08 MnT in Mar’19. Also, the country’s Ferrous Scrap exports slightly rise by 5.35% to 0.59 MnT in Apr’19 as against 0.56 MnT in Mar’19.
Commodity wise – In Finish long commodities – Rebar, Wire Rod & Structure (Angles & Shapes) remained unchanged M-o-M in Apr’19 at 0.03 MnT, 0.02 MnT & 0.01 MnT, respectively, against Mar’19.
Load Country Wise – The major imports of Finish long steel in Apr’19 originated by China at 0.02 MnT, fell by 33% against 0.03 MnT in Mar’19 followed by South Korea – 0.02 MnT in Apr’19 same against previous month and Vietnam – 0.01 MnT in Apr’19.
Iron ore Imports up marginally
Japanese Iron ore import slightly rise to 9.99 MnT in Apr’19 against 9.81 MnT a month ago. On yearly basis, imports picked up slightly as compared to 9.91 MnT in Apr’18.
Commodity wise – Nation’s imports for the month accounted around 87% of iron ore fines and lumps at 8.65 MnT (down 2%) while remaining stood pellets and concentrate at 1.35 MnT (up 41% on monthly basis)
Country wise – Australia stood as largest supplier of iron ore to the Japan at 4.68 MnT in Apr’19, down by 27% against 6.38 MnT in Mar’19. Brazil stands in second position with 3.7 MnT exports (up 64% M-o-M) followed by South Africa at 0.45 MnT (surged by 165%) and Canada at 0.41 MnT. Japanese imports from India dropped by 7% to 0.14 MnT.
Flat steel Imports
Nation’s flat steel imports registered at 0.41 MnT in Apr’19 unchanged against previous month. On yearly basis flat steel imports elongate by around 11% and stood at 0.37 MnT in Apr’18
Load Country wise – The major flat steel imports registered from South Korea at 0.25 MnT in Apr’19 against previous month followed by Taiwan and China – 0.08 MnT each in Apr’19 unchanged against Mar’19.
Coal Imports Down 3% M-o-M
Japanese coal imports have decreased by 3% during Apr’19, following a hefty fall in non-coking coal intake during the month. Data provided by custom indicate that the country had imported 15.55 MnT coal in Apr’19 against 16.11 MnT in Mar’19.
However, imports were slightly high on yearly basis from 15.4 MnT in Apr’18. The country had reported its highest monthly coking coal imports for CY19 in Apr’19, but it was not enough to overcome the slump in non-coking coal shipments.
Commodity wise – A grade-wise break-up of coal imports show the non-coking coal receipt in Apr’19 dropped 10% M-o-M to 9.96 MnT against 11.07 MnT in Mar’19. Apparently, non-coking coal shipment had fell to 9 MnT mark for the first time since Jun’18.Imports of Coking coal had increased 11% M-o-M to 4.01 MnT in Apr’19. Besides, there was an upsurge noted in Anthracite coal imports, which were recorded at 0.5 MnT during the month.
Country wise – Australia, Indonesia and Russia remained the top-3 major coal suppliers to Japan. However, only Russia had managed to post a monthly growth in exports during Apr’19.
Ferro Alloys imports Up by 146%
Japan Ferro alloy imports surged by 146% on M-0-M basis, imports stood at 0.32 MnT in Apr’19 against 0.13 MnT in Mar’19. In line, yearly basis imports elongate by 28% and stood at 0.25 MnT in Apr’18.
Commodity wise – Manganese Ore imports surged by 350% and observed at 0.18 MnT in Apr’19 against 0.04 MnT over a month ago.
In line, Ferro Chrome imports also surge by 50% and stood at 0.09 MnT in Apr’19 against 0.06 MnT in the previous month followed by Ferro silicon also stretched up by 67% and stood at 0.05 MnT in Apr’19 against 0.03 MnT in Mar’19.
Country-wise – South Africa registered at 0.14 MnT (+250%) followed by Australia – 0.08 MnT, and Kazakhstan – 0.03 MnT (+50%).
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