Colored Galvanizing Steel Sheet Price Keeps Flat in Tokyo

The market price of colored galvanizing steel sheet is flat with potential increase in Tokyo. The price is 184,000 yen per tonne for large coil with 0.35 millimeters thick and 205,000 yen per tonne for small coil.Steel sheet makers announced the price hike for colored galvanized products and there seems nominal demand in the market before the hike becomes in effect. Dealer source said that the orders have increased since the end of May and the shipping would increase after the end of June. However, dealer source said actual demand is not active and the shipping volume decreased in January-June 2006 from the same period of 2005. Some dealers expect that distributors could pass the increasing of price cost on their reselling prices but that end sellers including sheet processors might not be able to pass the increasing costs. Steel sheet makers intend another price hike if material prices stay at the high level. Wholesales are concerned whether end sellers could pass the next price hike on their reselling prices and by when the price hike continues.The market price is likely to turn upward after the maker’s price hike becomes in effect in July.