Japan Tinplate Export Price Increases by US$ 50 for April

Japanese integrated steel makers increased tin plate export price by around US$ 50 for April-June shipment from January-March. The price is between just more than C&F US$ 1,200 to near US$ 1,300 per tonne. The makers gain higher price when offshore rivals try to increase the selling price under better seasonal demand. Japanese integrated steels seek additional price increase for July-September to improve the margin, which was US$ 100 smaller than January-March 2010 level.

Japanese integrated steels’ order receipt of tinplate and black plate increased by around 30% for April-June shipment compared with October-December level when the demand in Southeast Asia increases partly due to recovery from Thai flood damage. The integrated steels see tinplate international price increases due to lower export by offshore makers for April-June and higher European offer price to Latin America and Southeast Asia.

Tinplate demand increases for April-June from January-March and peaks in July-September seasonally due to harvest cycle. Japanese integrated steels plan to increase the export price for July-September shipment to improve the profitability.