Flat Ni and Higher Cr Stainless Prices in Tokyo

Stainless cold rolled flat steel market price keeps flat at 510,000-520,000 yen per tonne for SUS304 grade products while strong at around 260,000 yen per tonne for SUS430 grade due to higher chrome price. Dealers’ shipment keeps slow for nickel series products. Demand maintains low from kitchen counters or home electronics after the revision of Japanese building standard law. Dealers are trying to reduce nickel series inventories. A dealer source said the firm reduces nickel series inventory as low as possible but increases orders for chrome series products.Japanese cold rolled flat steel inventory held by coil centers decreased by 5% to 61,397 tonnes in March from February, according to the industry association. The inventory rate decreased to 1.97 months of shipment, which became below 2 months for the first time in late 10 months. Coil centers’ inventory is gradually decreasing.Demand for nickel series stainless sheet keeps slow from dealers except for electric appliances or commercial kitchens, while demand for chrome series is firm from automobiles. Makers are accepting much orders for high grade chrome series products. The supply is tight.Makers’ and dealers’ inventory adjustment has advanced steadily. A major dealer source said the market inventory could decrease with sales increase at dealers when makers continue output reductions.