Ferrous Scrap Price Hits First Drop in 2 Months in Osaka

Ferrous scrap market price decreased by around 1,000 yen per tonne for the first time in about 2 months around Osaka. Kyoei Steel reduced the purchase price by 1,000 yen for all grades except turning scrap and Kishiwada Steel reduced the price by 1,000 yen for all grades since Wednesday. Local electric furnace steel makers’ purchase price is around 19,500-21,000 yen for H2 grade.

According to a ferrous scrap dealer source, scrap price wouldn’t decrease widely when the dealers have order to ship for export and the supply is very low level. Local electric furnace steels cut production significantly and demand seemed to be slow for a while. One trade firm source said slow export and steel price reduction by Tokyo Steel Manufacturing impact on scrap price.

Ferrous scrap dealers’ group convenes joint tender to export 5,000-10,000 tonnes scrap mainly for H2 grade on next Monday. The group expects the shipment is by March 24 from Osaka bay. Previous joint bid is convened in December 2008.