Japan Steel Export Stats: Aug'19

Japan, the world's third-largest crude steel producer witnessed stability in exports of ferrous scrap and finish flat steel, while exports of semi-finished and finish long steel observed decrease on the monthly basis in Aug'19, the customs data maintained with SteelMint showed.

According to the world steel association, Japan's crude steel output marked a slight declined in Aug'19 and stood at 8.12 MnT, down 3% M-o-M as compared to 8.39 MnT in July'19, while on a yearly basis the production remained almost stable as against 8.81 MnT in Aug'18.

Ferrous Scrap: Japanese ferrous scrap exports remained unchanged in Aug'19 and were recorded at 0.67 MnT, same as the exports in July'19. On a yearly basis, scrap export has observed marginal decreased by 3% M-o-M from 0.61 MnT reported during the same period a year ago, in July'18.

Country-wise: South Korea remained the largest importer of ferrous scrap from Japan with a share of 11% in total scrap imports from Japan, as it imported 0.29 MnT in Aug'19, remaining almost stable as against 0.28 MnT scrap imported in July'19. Vietnam, with a share of 26% stood at second position with 0.26 MnT of imports in Aug'19, rising by 23% M-o-M. Followed by other prominent importers Taiwan (0.05MnT, down by 50% M-o-M) and Bangladesh (0.02 MnT) with a share of 13% and 14% respectively during the month.

Semi Finish: Japan's exports for semi finished steel recorded a decrease in Aug'19 as the country exported 0.28 MnT, down 15% M-o-M as against 0.33 MnT exports recorded in July'19. On a yearly basis, the exports dropped by 7% Y-o-Y as against 0.33 MnT registered during the same period a year ago.

Country-wise: Taiwan remains the largest importer of Japanese semi finish products with a 15% share of total semi finish exports by Japan as it imported 0.12 MnT down 8% M-o-M, followed by other prominent importers such as South Korea (0.06 MnT, down 25% M-o-M) and Thailand (0.06 MnT, down 40% M-o-M) with 10% and 16% share respectively.

Finish Flat: Japan's finish flat steel exports inched up by 1% on a monthly basis to 2.24 MnT in Aug'19 as against 2.23 MnT in the previous month.

Robust demand for steel in Japan's domestic market kept the steel manufacturers away from booking a significant amount as exports. Meanwhile, increasing demand for finish flat steel in Asian countries supported and absorbed the plunging 41% exports to the USA in Aug'19 amid protective measures under Section 232. As per data maintained with SteelMint, Japan's finish flat exports to the USA stood at 37,405 MT in Aug'19 as against 63,803 MT in the preceding month.

Finish Long: Japanese exports for finish long steel fell by 5% M-o-M and stood at 0.17 MnT as compared to 0.18 MnT in July'19. On a yearly basis, exports drop by 21% Y-o-Y as against 0.21 MnT during the same period a year ago.

Country Wise: South Korea remained a major importer of finish long steel in Aug'19 as it imports 0.06 MnT down by 14% M-o-M, followed by another importer was Thailand which imported at 0.3 MnT in Aug'19, up by 50 % M-o-M.

Quantity in MT
Source- SteelMint Stats & Customs Data