Japan: Ferrous Scrap Exports Fall by 15% in Jan'20

Japan, world's third-largest crude steel producer observed a sharp fall by 15% in its ferrous scrap exports in Jan'20. The country exported 0.63 MnT of scrap in Jan'20, as against the 0.75 MnT exported in Dec'19. However, on a yearly basis, scrap exports have increased by 25% Y-o-Y from 0.51 MnT reported during the same period a year ago, in Jan'19.

South Korea remained the largest importer of ferrous scrap with a share of 41% in total scrap exported by Japan, as it imported 0.26 MnT in Jan'20, down by 10% as compared to 0.29 MnT reported in Dec'19. Followed by Vietnam with a 33% share, as it imported 0.21 MnT scrap in Nov'19, down by 16% as against 0.25 MnT in Dec'19.

Japanese exports of semi-finished and finish flat steel observed a slight increase on a monthly basis in Jan'20. Whereas finished long exports decreased in the month, according to the recent data released by the customs department.

Semi Finished: Japan's semi-finished export witnessed a slight increase in Jan'20. The country has exported 0.30 MnT of semi-finished in Jan'20, increasing by 4% M-o-M as compared to 0.29 MnT of semi-finished exported in Dec'19. On a yearly basis too, exports have almost doubled to 99% Y-o-Y from 0.15 MnT in Jan'19. Taiwan remained the largest importer with a 40% share in total semi-finished exported by Japan, as it imported 0.12 MnT (down by 8% M-o-M) in Jan'20. Another major importer was South Korea which imported 0.09 MnT in Jan'20.

Finish Flat: The Japanese finish flat steel exports witnessed a slight increase by 4% to 2.14 MnT in Jan'20 in comparison with 2.05 MnT in Dec'19. China, the largest importer of ferrous scrap from Japan, which imported 0.33 MnT of scrap (down by 18% M-o-M) in Jan'20, another major scrap importer was South Korea- imported 0.27 MnT in Jan'20 as against 0.29 MnT of scrap in Dec'19.

Finish Long: Finish long export from Japan observed a decrease by 9% to 0.13 MnT in Jan'20 as against 0.16 MnT in Dec'19. On a yearly basis, finish long exports reduced by 16% Y-o-Y from 0.16 MnT exported during the same period a year ago. South Korea increased its import by 25% M-o-M to 0.05 MnT in Jan'20 with a 38% share in total finish long exported by Japan, as against 0.04 MnT imported in Dec'19. Followed by other major importers were Thailand & China which imported 0.02 MnT each in Jan'20.

Japan's crude steel output slightly increase in Jan'20 by 6% M-o-M to 8.24 MnT as compared to 7.78 MnT in Dec'19. On a yearly basis too, output increased by 2% Y-o-Y as against 8.14 MnT in Jan'19, according to World Steel Association (WSA).

Quantity in MT
Source: SteelMint Research & Customs Data