Japan Imported Flat Rolled Steel Stock Increases for 5 Straight Months

Japanese imported flat rolled steel inventory at quay increased by 0.5% or 1,000 tonnes to 170,000 tonnes at the end of July from June, which increased for 5 months in a row, announced by Japanese major steel trading firm, Hanwa Co. on Wednesday. The inventory increased to 170,000 tonnes for the first time since 187,000 tonnes in May 2009. The inventory increased by 16.4% or 24,000 tonnes from a year earlier when the domestic steel demand slowed and the import increased.

The inventory decreased by 2% or 2,000 tonnes to 98,000 tonnes in Osaka at the end of July from June. The inventory increased by 12.5% or 1,000 tonnes to 9,000 tonnes for plate. However, the inventory decreased by 5.2% or 2,000 tonnes to 36,000 tonnes for hot rolled coil and by 1.8% or 1,000 tonnes to 53,000 tonnes for cold rolled coil.

The inventory increased by 4.3% or 3,000 tonnes to 72,000 tonnes in Tokyo at the end of July from June. The inventory increased by 11.1% or 1,000 tonnes to 10,000 tonnes for plate while the inventory decreased by 5.4% or 2,000 tonnes to 35,000 tonnes for hot rolled coil. The inventory increased by 17.3% or 4,000 tonnes to 27,000 tonnes for cold rolled coil.