Japan Flat Can Steel Export Price May Increase US$ 100 for July

Nippon Steel and JFE Steel try to increase export price of flat rolled can steel by US$ 100 per tonne or more for July-September shipment from April-June. Steel makers try to cover higher raw material cost to get profit from the business.

The export price increased by around US$ 50 per tonne for April-June from January-March. One integrated steel maker source said order receipt for April-June is larger than the makers’ production capacity and the maker fills order book for July. The price increased by US$ 80 for late June shipment. Japanese makers try to increase the price more for July-September.

The import continues in Southeast Asia from China and South Korea but Japanese integrated sources see offshore steel makers’ export volume peaked out. The demand is strong in Southeast Asia due to rich fish catch and agricultural yield including pineapple in Thailand.

Flat rolled can steel demand increases for April-June from January-March and peaks in July-September seasonally due to harvest cycle. Japanese integrated steels try to improve the profitability under higher demand.