Japanese major five integrated steel makers’ raw steel production decreased by 2.2% to 7.178 million tonnes in October from a year earlier. The averaged daily output was 231,500 tonnes, increasing by 2.3% from September. Steel export decreased due to hihger yen rate and weak steel market price in Asia while raw steel production keeps around 7 million tonnes for four straight months, the level as high as pre-disaster volume thanks to domestic car makers’ output recovery. In November, the production is likely to decrease when steel export is impacted by flood in Thailand.
The five integrated steels’ pig iron production decreased by 0.5% to 7.104 million tonnes in October from a year earlier. The averaged daily output increased by 3.3% to 229,200 tonnes.
