Japan Stainless Import Drops by 26.2% in 1H

Japanese stainless steel import decreased by 26.2% to 50,158 tonnes in January-June from same period of 2008, according to Japan Stainless Steel Association. The flat rolled import decreased by 31.8% to 39,098 tonnes due to very slow domestic demand.

The import increased by 18.4% to 3,938 tonnes for stainless steel bar in January-June from same period of 2008. The import increased by 62.6% to 252 tonnes for shapes while the import deceased by 11.6% to 4,075 tonnes for wire rod. The welded stainless pipe import increased by 24.7% to 1,908 tonnes while the seamless pipe import decreased by 12.2%.

The stainless steel import increased by 18.6% to 9,075 tonnes in June from May. The flat rolled import increased by 11.1% to 6,909 tonnes.