Japan Carbon Steel Import Increases Again in April

Japanese carbon steel import increased by 3.6% to 355,890 tonnes in April from March, which increased for 2 months in a row, announced by Japan Iron and Steel Federation on Monday. Japanese dealers and users increased import of low-priced products, especially hot rolled flat steel and wire rod under higher yen rate while domestic integrated steel makers announced price hike for April.

Japanese carbon steel import decreased by 48.3% to 5,243 tonnes for H-beam in April from March. The import decreased by 12.8% to 26,517 tonnes for plate and by 18.0% to 59,852 tonnes for cold rolled flat steel. The galvanized steel import decreased by 16.5% to 30,462 tonnes. The carbon steel import showed 2-digit month-to-month decrease. However, the import volume was normal April level or more.

The import increased by 19.1% to 166,142 tonnes for hot rolled flat steel in April from March. The import increased by 39.4% to 40,255 tonnes for wire rod. Both imports hit the year-high.

The import from South Korea decreased by 5.0% to 204,120 tonnes in April from March while the import increased by 16.0% to 63,637 tonnes from China and by 20.7% to 83,357 tonnes from Taiwan.