Japanese imports of raw material to finished steel plunged in Aug’19, as per the customs data maintained by SteelMint.
Coal- Japanese coal imports have fallen by around 14% on monthly basis and registered at 15.95 MnT in Aug’19, weighted down by the hefty coal intake recorded in the previous month. Apparently, import volume of 18.46 MnT in Jul’19 was noted highest over the 2018-19 period.
Besides, a collapse in Australian coal receipts and lower thermal power generation had also slashed Japanese coal imports during the month.
Data provided by Japanese customs indicates that coal imports in Aug’19 were marked 13% lower on the year from 18.37 MnT in Aug’18, thus attaining the largest y-o-y drop for CY19.
Over the course of the first 8 months of CY19 (Jan-Aug’19), Japanese coal imports have reached 127.04 MnT, down 2% Y-o-Y from 130 MnT noted in the same period of CY18.
Iron ore- Japan iron ore imports in Aug’19 witnessed fall of 7.37% on monthly basis to 9.8 MnT in Aug’19 against 10.58 MnT in July’19. On yearly basis too, imports fell by 10.66% as compared to 10.97 MnT in Aug’18.
Imports from Australia decreased to 5.48 MnT in Aug’19, down by 10.74% M-o-M followed Brazil at 2.26 MnT (down 24% M-o-M). Imports from Australia and Brazil fell amid high global prices and material availability crises. Vale on 15th Aug’19 , reported that it has temporarily shut operations at its Viga concentration plant, which is part of newly acquired Ferrous Resources do Brazil (acquired on 1st Aug’19), due to permit issues. The miner also announced reduction in pellet production guidance for the year to 43 MnT against previously set at 45 MnT.
Japanese iron ore imports from Canada, South Africa and India increased on monthly basis to 0.55 MnT, 0.48 MnT and 0.22 MnT respectively.
Japan crude steel production down in Aug’19: Japanese crude steel production for the month of Aug’19 dropped by 3.21% and registered at 8.12 MnT compared to 8.39 MnT in July’19. On yearly basis too, output fell by around 8% against 8.81 MnT in Aug’18.
Finish Long Steel- On monthly basis Japanese finish long steel imports declined by 28.57% to 0.05 MnT in Aug’19 against 0.07 MnT in Jul’19.
In line on yearly basis, country’s import remained stable in Aug’19 as compared to 0.05 MnT in Aug’18.
Commodity wise
Country’s Rebar import is decline by 25% to 0.03 MnT in Aug’19 against 0.04 MnT in Jul’19, followed by Structure (Angle/Channel) and Wire rod both imports are registered at 0.01 MnT in Aug’19 down 50% against 0.02 MnT in Jul’19.
Load Country wise
On monthly basis South Korea stood as top exporter of finish long steel to Japan and registered at 0.03 MnT in Aug’19 that remain stable against previous month followed by China 0.01 MnT in Aul’19 (-50%) as against 0.02 MnT in Jul’19 and Vietnam 0.01 MnT in Aug’19 stable against Jul’19.
Finish Long Stainless Steel- Japan finish long stainless steel import is registered at 1,916 MT in Aug’19 down by 8.2% against 2,086 MT in Jul’19. Whereas yearly premises import increased by 51.34% in Aug’19 as compared to 1,266 MT in Aug’18.
Finish Flat Steel- On monthly basis Japanese import of finish flat steel was registered at 0.36 MnT in Aug’19 down by 2.7% against 0.37 MnT in Jul’19. However on yearly premises import surged by 24.14% in Aug’19 against 0.29 MnT in Aug’18.
Finish Flat Stainless Steel- Nation’s finish flat stainless steel import was registered at 13,958 MT in Aug’19, down by 15.92% M-o-M against 16,602 MT in Jul’19. In line, yearly basis imports declined by around 25% in Aug’19 against 18,603 MT in Aug’18.
Ferro Alloy- Import of Ferro alloy on monthly basis by Japan is registered at 0.19 MnT in Aug’19, down 9.52% against 0.21 MnT in Jul’19. In line, yearly basis import decline by 5% in Aug’19 compared to 0.2 MnT in Aug’18.
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