Weak Plate Steel Price in Tokyo

Plate steel market price is weak at around 126,000 yen per tonne for standard size with 19 millimeters thick, 5 feet width and 10 feet length and at around 145,000 yen for cut processed materials around Tokyo. The price is expected to decrease due to very slow market.

The building demand is very low mainly for mid- and small-sized building. The demand also decreases for construction and industrial machinery. The plate shearing processors’ order receipt decreases by 40-50% from April-September level while the demand was strong before.

The demand is still strong for shipbuilding and major building projects. The domestic plate supply is expected to keep tight through the fiscal 2008 ending March 2009. Domestic integrated steel makers keep the selling price at near 120,000 yen per tonne for the dealers.

The dealers try to keep the reselling price due to the high cost price and they managed to keep the price by end of 2008. However, the market price should decrease due to very slow shipment along with overstock and future demand uncertainty.