Japan Rebar Export Declines by 2.9% in 2010

Japanese concrete reinforcing bar and other small bar products export decreased by 2.9% to 393,338 tonnes in 2010 from 2009, according to Ministry of Finance. Japanese rebar makers tried to increase the export while the export market was less attractive for them due to higher ferrous scrap cost and higher yen rate.

The export decreased by 6% to 359,347 tonnes to the largest destination of South Korea in 2010 from 2009. The export to USA was 11,035 tonnes while the export was only 1,146 tonnes in 2009 due to very slow demand after Lehman shock. The export was 6,107 tonnes to China, 4,730 tonnes to Thailand and 3,913 tonnes to Vietnam.

Japanese steel billet export decreased by 11.9% to 1.045 million tonnes in 2010 from 2009. The export decreased under yen appreciation and higher raw material cost while South Korean steel makers significantly increased the export to Asia due to overcapacity. The Japanese export decreased by 19.6% to 437,464 tonnes to South Korea and by 23.3% to 194,418 tonnes to Taiwan while the export increased by 37.4% to 350,475 tonnes to Vietnam due to strong construction demand as other emerging countries.

Japanese rebar and other small bar products export decreased by 19.3% to 20,472 tonnes in December from November while the export decreased by 47.2% from a year earlier. The billet export increased by 48.6% to 137,077 tonnes in December from November while the export increased by 29% from a year earlier.