Japan Pig Iron Export Decreases along Raw Steel Output Increase

Japanese pig iron export returned to the normal level while integrated steel makers’ crude steel output returned to the normal level before the recession. Japanese pig iron export decreased by 96.8% to 582 tonnes in November from October, according to Japan Iron and Steel Federation. Pig iron export continued to increase since January 2009 while the integrated steels significantly reduced crude steel output. The export was 125,000 tonnes at the peak in June.

Integrated steels’ crude steel output was 4.17 million tonnes in February 2009, which represented 42.7% year-to-year decrease. Some makers could not reduce the output at downstream and semi-finished product inventory increased. Japanese pig iron export was 13,500 tonnes in January 2009 and continued to increase to 125,000 tonnes in June. The export began to decrease since July when integrated steels increased gradually crude steel output.

Crude steel output of integrated steels increased to 7.04 million tonnes in November, which was about 90% of the peak. While pig iron export decreased, the import was as high as 112,858 tonnes in November.