Japan Import Flat Steel Stock Drops by 7.8% in March

Japanese imported flat steel inventory at quay in Tokyo and Osaka decreased by 7.8% or 16,000 tonnes to 187,000 tonnes at end of March from February, announced by Hanwa Co. on Friday. The stock level decreased to less than 200,000 tonnes for the first time since July 2007. The stock was 5,000 tonnes or 2.6% lower than a year earlier. The stock decreased when the buyers accepted more materials despite of higher arrivals from offshore sources. The stock decreased by 6,000 tonnes or 5.1% to 111,000 tonnes in Osaka at end of March from February. The stock decreased by 2,000 tonnes or 20% to 8,000 tonnes for plate, by 2,000 tonnes or 7.1% to 26,000 tonnes for hot rolled coil and by 2,000 tonnes or 2.5% to 77,000 tonnes for cold rolled coil. The stock decreased by 10,000 tonnes or 11.6% to 76,000 tonnes in Tokyo at end of March from February. The stock decreased by 2,000 tonnes or 28.5% to 5,000 tonnes for plate, by 6,000 tonnes or 11.5% to 46,000 tonnes for hot coil and by 2,000 tonnes or 7.4% to 25,000 tonnes for cold coil.