Japan Import Statistics Q1 CY'19

As per World Steel Association (WSA), India has replaced Japan as the world's second-largest steel producing country as Japan's production fell by 0.3% to 104.3 MnT in 2018 (CY18), compared to 2017. Meanwhile India's crude steel production rose by 4.9% to 106.5 MnT in 2018, from 101.5 MnT in 2017.

In context to country's import figures, Japan's Finished long steel imports registered unaltered Q-o-Q in Q1 CY19. Further, the country's Flat steel imports grew during the same quarter.

In line raw materials, Japan Coal & Iron ore imports also down by 5-8% Q-o-Q in Q1 CY19.

Finish Long Imports: Japan Finish long imports marked unchanged on quarterly basis, imports stood at 0.17 MnT in Q1 CY19 same as against Q4 CY18. On monthly as well as yearly premises imports stood at 0.05 MnT which observed unaltered against the same frame time.

Commodity wise: Rebar, Structure (Angles & Shapes) along with Wire Rod imports were registered at 0.17 MnT in Q1 CY19 against 0.17 MnT in Q4 CY18.

Whereas few changes occurred on yearly basis i.e. Rebar at 0.03 MnT in Mar'19, up by 50% and stood at 0.02 MnT in Mar'18 and remained unchanged on monthly basis.

Wire Rod registered at 0.02 MnT in Mar'19 which is grew by 100% on monthly & yearly premises.

Further, Structure registered at 0.01 MnT in Mar'19, remain unaltered on monthly & yearly basis.

Unload Country-Wise: The major imports of Finish Long Steel in Q1 CY19 registered through the China at 0.08 MnT enlarged by 60% against 0.05 MnT in Q4 CY18 followed by South Korea - 0.06 MnT and Vietnam at 0.02 MnT, unchanged against Q4 CY18.

Flat Steel Imports Up by 8% in Q1 CY19: Nation's flat steel imports registered an increase of around 8% on quarterly basis to 1.25 MnT in (Jan-Mar) Q1 CY19 which was 1.16 MnT in (Oct-Dec) Q4 CY18.

Meanwhile on yearly basis country's flat steel imports jumped by 24% in Mar'19 in comparison to 0.33 MnT in Mar'18.

Whereas on monthly premise nation's flat steel imports inched down by 2% to 0.41 MnT in Mar'19, which was about 0.42 MnT in Feb'19.

Country-wise: Japan flat steel imports in Q1 CY19- Japan majorly imports flat steel from South Korea and accounts for 0.80 MnT in Q1 CY19, increased by 11% from 0.72 MnT in the previous quarter.

Meanwhile imports from Taiwan and China were at 0.24 MnT and 0.20 MnT, respectively, in Q1 CY19.

Iron Ore Imports Down 7% in Q1 CY19: Japanese imports of iron ore for Q1 CY19 witnessed at 28.71 MnT, down by around 7% as against 30.82 MnT in Q4 CY18. The quarter imports dropped due to shortage of raw material a midst Vale, mishap in Brazil following cyclone in Australia.

On yearly premises, imports registered minor change & inch down by around 1% with 9.81 MnT in Mar'19 compared to 9.87 MnT in Mar'18.

On monthly basis imports recorded slide changes, registered at 9.81 MnT in Mar'19 as compared to 9.72 MnT in Feb'19.

Country wise: Australia stood largest exporter with 16.68 MnT in Q1 CY19 down by 4% against 17.33 MnT in Q4 CY18 followed by Brazil at 7.8 MnT in Q1 CY19 down by 6% against 8.27 MnT in Q4 CY18.

Commodity wise: Japan's crude steel production down by around 3% in Q1 CY19 and registered at 24.96 MnT against 25.69 MnT in Q4 CY18.

Imports from South Africa dropped 15% for the quarter amidst Saldanha port maintenance. Japan's imports from India increased 29% to 0.44 MnT as against 0.34 MnT in Q4 CY18 amid resumption of exports from NMDC after renewal of LTA.

Coal Imports Up 8% M-o-M in Mar'19: Japanese coal imports have fallen 5% Q-o-Q to 47.79 MnT in Q1 CY19 (Jan-Mar'19) period as against 50.35 MnT in Q4 CY18, which was also 5% lower on the year from 48.83 MnT in Q1 CY18. On the monthly basis, Japanese coal imports rebounded after falling in Feb'19, to record 8% growth during Mar'19

In line with the power sector reforms, the purchasing patterns of Japanese power utilities have shifted, with utilities increasingly diversifying their sources of supply and purchasing more coal on short term contracts and on spot markets to minimize cost.

Country-wise: In the first quarter of CY19, Japan's coal sourcing from its major supplier - Australia had decreased by 5% Y-o-Y to 28.42 MnT, which was also accompanied by a fall in share from 61% to 59% during the period.

Ferro Alloy's imports up by 3% in Q1 CY19: Nation's Ferro alloys imports surged by 1.72% on quarterly basis, imports stood at 0.59 MnT in Q1 CY19 as compared to 0.58 MnT in Q4 CY18. Whereas imports registered no change on yearly basis, it stood at 0.13 MnT in Mar'19 and on the other hand imports recorded a decline by 38% on monthly basis, it stood at 0.13 MnT in Mar'19 as compared to 0.21 MnT in Feb'19.

Commodity wise: Manganese Ore imports registered at 0.3 MnT in Q1'CY'19 surge by 20% compared to 0.25 MnT in Q4 CY'18. Meanwhile, the imports of Ferro Chrome stood at 0.19 MnT in Q1'CY'19 down by 10% against 0.21 MnT in Q4 CY'18 and Ferro Silicon registered at 0.11 MnT fell by 15% against 0.13 MnT in Q4 CY'18.

Ferro Chrome imports registered at 0.06 MnT in Mar'19 which is unchanged against Feb'19. Imports of Manganese Ore stood at 0.04 MnT in Mar'19 down by 63.63% against 0.11 MnT in Feb'19 followed by Ferro Silicon 0.03 MnT in Mar'19 down by 25% against 0.04 MnT in Feb'19.

Country Wise: The major imports registered through South Africa at 0.29 MnT in Q1 CY19 surged by 32% against 0.22 MnT Q4 CY18 followed by Kazakhstan at 0.08 MnT in Q1 CY19 down by 11% against 0.09 MnT in Q4 CY18 and lastly Australia at 0.04 MnT in Q1 CY19, down by 20% against 0.05 MnT in Q4 CY'18.