Strong Cr Series Stainless Price, Weak Ni Series in Tokyo

Stainless cold rolled flat steel market price is weak at 500,000 yen per tonne for SUS304 grade base size while is strong at around 270,000 yen for SUS430 at the dealers’ sites around Tokyo. The demand is very slow for nickel series products. Major dealer source said the demand fall into doldrums except for kitchen for business purpose, which is decreasing by about 30% from same period of last year. Japanese stainless steel sheet makers are reducing the output of nickel series products due to slow demand. Nippon Steel & Sumikin Stainless Steel or Nisshin Steel are decreasing the output by 30%, Nippon Metal Industry is decreasing by about 40% from the same period of last year. They will adjust the supply and demand.The market inventory is reducing slightly. Major dealer source said the inventory keeps high yet, he hopes Japanese inventory rate decreases to 1.8 months of the shipment per month until September.