Steel Sheet Price Keeps Flat in Tokyo

Sheet steel market price is flat at 68,000-69,000 yen per tonne for hot rolled sheet, at 74,000-76,000 yen per tonne for pickling sheet and at 80,000-82,000 yen per tonne for cold sheet around Tokyo. The demand for building construction is recovering. However, dealers’ shipment keeps slower when the production for automobile or appliance see sluggish growth. Dealer source said the demand is being slower. Japanese integrated steel makers examine the price hike for distributors after the hike for re-rollers and higher international steel sheet price. Dealer and coil centers aim to raise their reselling price but face difficulties under severe price competition. Dealers expect the demand recovery for building construction. But the market condition is severe for the dealers when the market for distributors is shrinking due to the purchasing integration by large users.