Japan Steel Export Statistics - April 2019

Japan, third largest steel producers in the world, observed a total crude steel production of 9.08 MnT in April '19, witnessing a marginal decline of 5% M-o-M in comparison to 8.65 MnT of production in Mar'19. Recent customs data showed that ferrous scrap and Semi-finished steel exports from Japan were observed to have increased while exports of finish steel products declined on a monthly basis.

Ferrous scrap - Japan exported 593,086 MT of ferrous scrap in April'19, increasing by 7% M-o-M against 556,332 MT in March'19. While on a yearly premise, exports dropped by 10% Y-o-Y as against 661,779 MT of scrap exported in March'18. South Korean scrap importers had increased their buying activity in April'19 with several bulk cargoes for Japanese scrap being booked, as compared to slow imports observed in March.

Country-wise - South Korea remained the largest importer occupying a share of 61 % in total scrap exports from Japan in Apr'19 as it imported 361,557 MnT in Apr 19, witnessing a rise of 32% M-o-M against 274,357 MT in Q4 CY'18. Another top importer, Vietnam exported 165,576 MT of ferrous scrap with a 28% of share, dropping 12% M-o-M. Followed by other prominent importers Taiwan (47,689 MT, down 7% M-o-M), and Malaysia (7,747 MnT, down 74% M-o-M) occupying 8% and 1% share respectively in total scrap exports from Japan.

Japanese scrap prices successively decreased throughout April '19 by around JPY 4,000-5,000/MT on account of very low domestic demand meanwhile Golden week holidays in end April kept steel production limited.

Finished Flat - As per the latest data released, Japan flat steel exports inch down by 1% M-o-M and recorded at 1,972,800 MT in Apr'19 in comparison to 1,987,651 MnT in preceding month.

Japanese steelmakers enjoyed solid domestic demand from automakers in Apr'19 and the construction sector, busy with projects for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. however, natural disasters and glitches have prevented them from producing as much steel as they had planned. Japanese steelmakers are planning to ramp up the steel capacities amid increased consumption over healthy demand prevailing in domestic market in April. On yearly premise nation's flat steel exports were marginally down by 2% in Apr'19 as compared to 2,002,605 MT in the same month previous year.

Country-wise - Japan majorly exports flat steel to Thailand and recorded at 312,977 MT in Apr'19 increasing by 6% in comparison to 295,388 MT in the previous month. Followed by China (295,875 MT), South Korea (299,256 MT), Vietnam (163,896 MT), Indonesia (143,612 MT) and Mexico (133,965 MT) in Apr'19. Japan also exported to India, Malaysia and USA in smaller quantities in Apr'19.

Finished Long - Japan Finish long exports plunge by 16.2% on monthly basis, imports stood at 184,630 MT in Apr'19 as compared to 219,842 MT in Mar'19. On yearly premises, Imports recorded a fall by 1.43% in Apr'19 as compared to 187,317 MT in Apr'18.

Country-wise - South Korea remained the largest importer occupying a share of 31 % in total finished long exports from Japan in Apr'19 as it imported 56,984 MT in Apr'19, witnessing a rise of 32% M-o-M against 95,918 MT in Mar'19. Followed by other prominent importers Thailand (24,325 MT, down 19% M-o-M), USA (23,273 MT, no change M-o-M) China (19,335, down 9% M-o-M) and Vietnam (10,545 MT, down 5% M-o-M) occupying 13%, 12%, 10% and 6% share respectively in total finished long exports from Japan.

Semi-Finished - Japan Semi-finished exports increased by 24% on a monthly basis, imports stood at 241,753 MT in April'19 as compared to 194,427 MT in March'19. On yearly premises, imports recorded a fall by 21 % in Apr'19 as compared to 309,059 MT in Apr '18. Japan's billet exports grew in Apr'19 as imported scrap offers in Taiwan surged sharply by about USD 40-50/MT during Mar-Apr'19. However, in this duration global billet offers rose only by around USD 10-15/MT.

Country-wise - Taiwan remained the largest importer occupying a share of 44 % in total semi-finished exports from Japan in Apr'19 as it imported 106,383 MT in Apr'19, witnessing a rise of 27% M-o-M against 83,994 MT in Mar'19. Followed by other prominent importers South Korea (69,236 MT, no change M-o-M) and Thailand (37,124 MT, up 149% M-o-M).

Japan Steel Export - April 2019

Quantity in MT,
Source: Custom Data