Japan Cold Rolled Stainless Import Hits Year-High in October

Japanese cold rolled flat stainless steel import is increasing. The import increased by 12.9% to 8,374 tonnes in October from September, which hit the monthly high in 2011. The import increased for 3 months in a row. The import was 24.1 higher than the figure in a year earlier despite slow domestic demand.

The import increased by 16.3% to 71,326 tonnes in January-October from same period of a year earlier. The import was 64.5% higher than the figure in same period of 2009.

Japanese stainless steel makers are cautious about the import price and volume. One maker source said POSCO could increase the export to secure the certain sales volume by end of fiscal 2011. The source indicates higher volume and lower price of the import could damage on the domestic market price.