Dropping Plate Price in Tokyo

Plate steel market price is decreasing to 105,000 yen per tonne for products with 19 millimeters thick, 5 feet width and 10 feet length and to 110,000-120,000 yen for cut processed materials at dealers’ sites around Tokyo. Dealers’ inventory expansion seems to have stopped when dealers have minimized plate procurement from makers along low sales. However, market inventory still maintains high level.

The demand keeps low from building materials, construction machines and industrial machines. Dealers’ shipment is very slow. Construction machine makers are advancing the inventory adjustment but the demand for steel plate hasn’t recovered. Plate orders for new big building projects are few from general contractors as well as small-middle size buildings.

The demand wouldn’t recover soon. Plate makers are expected to decrease their selling price. The market price is likely to maintain downward.