Flat Channel Steel Price in Tokyo

Channel steel market price is flat at 81,000-82,000 yen per tonne without freight for product with 5 millimeters thick, 50 by 100 mm width around Tokyo. The distributors are in process to increase the reselling price after the makers increased the selling price by 5,000 yen in August and September. The dealers see the shipment recovers while the building demand is very slow due to transition process for new building standard law. Local dealers’ shipment was 6,702 tonnes in October, which was 40.9% higher than 4,755 tonnes in September, according to Tokyo Steel Product Dealers Association. The inventory decreased by 1.6% to 18,939 tonnes at end of October when the arrivals from makers increased by 10.1% to 5,569 tonnes. The daily shipment increased by around 40 tonnes when the operating days were 4 days more for October than September. The market price is gradually increasing especially for base size products. The dealers try to pass the higher cost price under better supply balance. The supply side players expect the inventory adjustment finishes in the year.