Japan tin Plate Maker Increases Export Price by US$ 100 for January-March 2011

Japanese integrated steel makers started export price negotiation of tin plate for can for January-March 2011 shipment this week. Steel makers offer price hike by US$ 100 to C&F US$ 1,400 per tonne for tin plate and to US$ 1,100 for black plate, which is mother plate for tin plate. The supply and demand balance is tight while production cost including tin price maintains high level.

International tin plate market was confusion for October-December when Chinese tin plate makers lowered the selling price since they produced tin plate from hot rolled sheet. On the other hand, the supply and demand balance is tighter due to increasing order volume for Japanese integrated steel makers. Chinese price impact recently settled down.

Tin plate export price was slightly adjusted for October-December shipment. The profitability is low for the product, according to Japanese integrated steel maker. However, Chinese tin plate makers’ sales of cheap products recently decreased.