- June marks seventh consecutive annual decline
- Thailand shipments surge 82% during H1
Japan’s billet exports continued to weaken in the first half of 2026, with shipments falling for the second consecutive year amid lower exports to key Asian destinations. Total exports during January-June stood at 322,418 t, down 34% y-o-y.
Exports to Taiwan, Japan’s largest billet destination in 2025, declined 31.8% y-o-y to 104,019 t, while shipments to the Philippines fell 41.2% to 49,148 t. Exports to Indonesia recorded the sharpest decline, plunging 93.8% to 6,076 t. Shipments to China also dropped 46.3% to 23,710 t.
However, stronger exports to South Korea and Thailand provided some offset. Shipments to South Korea rose 20.2% to 105,866 t, while exports to Thailand surged 82.2% to 32,583 t.
June exports plunge 40% as regional demand weakens
Japan’s billet exports fell 40% y-o-y to 44,684 t in June, marking the seventh consecutive month of annual decline. Shipments also dropped 30% m-o-m, ending a two-month period of month-on-month growth.
The decline was led by weaker shipments to Taiwan and the Philippines, while Indonesia recorded no exports during the month. South Korean shipments increased 9.3% y-o-y to 18,678 t, while Taiwan-bound volumes fell 17.9% to 14,155 t. Philippines shipments plunged 69% to 3,083 t.
Overall, Japan’s billet export performance highlights persistent weakness in regional demand, with sharp declines in several key markets outweighing gains in South Korea and Thailand.
This article has been published in accordance with a content exchange agreement between Japan Metal Daily and BigMint.
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