Japan Steel Import Statistics - May 2019

Japan, world's third largest steel producer has registered sharp growth in its monthly iron ore imports, as per recent released data by custom department.

Iron Ore Imports Up 13.61% in May'19 - Japanese iron ore imports recorded at 11.35 MnT in May'19, surged up by 13.61% as against 9.99 MnT.

However, on yearly basis, imports slightly fell by 2.23% as compared to 11.61 MnT in May'19. Australia remained the largest exporter for the month at 6.66 MnT, up 42% M-o-M as against 4.68 MnT in Apr'19.

Meanwhile, exports from Brazil to Japan dropped in May'19 by around 30% to 2.6 MnT amid supply concerns from Vale. Inline Indian exports increased two folds to 0.29 MnT as against 0.14 MnT, Indian miners have started looking for non-Chinese markets amid global shortage.

Coal Imports Down 6% - Japanese coal imports have fallen to its lowest monthly quantity for CY19 during May'19.

Data provided by custom showed that the country's coal import has decreased by 6% and registered at 14.58 MnT in May'19 compared with 15.55 MnT in Apr'19, which is lower by 10.49% on the year from 16.29 MnT in May'18.

The country has witnessed an overall drop in coal-fired power output, which has been supplemented by increase in both nuclear and gas-fired power generation.

During the first 5 months of CY19 (Jan-May), Japanese imports have total of 77.92 MnT, down by 3.22% against 80.52 MnT same time frame of last year.

Crude Steel Production - Japan crude steel production marginally picked up to 8.68 MnT in May'19 against 8.65 MnT in Apr'19. However on yearly basis, output fell by around 5% compared to 9.09 MnT in May'18.

Finish Long Steel - Japan Finish Long steel imports remain stable on monthly as well as on yearly basis and registered at 0.06 MnT in May'19 as compared to previous month (Apr'19) as well as year ago i.e. May'18.

Commodity wise- In Finish long steel commodities - Rebar, Wire Rod & Structure (Angles & Shapes) remained unchanged M-o-M in May'19 at 0.03 MnT, 0.02 MnT & 0.01 MnT, respectively, as against Apr'19.

Load Country wise- Japan's major imports of Finish long steel is from South Korea - 0.03 MnT in May'19; up by 50% followed by China 0.02 MnT; stable as against Apr'19 and Vietnam - 0.01 MnT in May'19, which is remain unchanged.

Flat Steel - Japan Finish Flat steel imports registered at 0.38 MnT in May'19, declined by 7% against 0.41 MnT in Apr'19.

Higher inventory levels owing to ramp up in steel production by domestic steelmakers during the Jan-Mar'19, resulted less import bookings and decline in volumes in May'19.

In line, yearly basis flat steel imports dropped by 2.6% as against at 0.39 MnT in May'18

Finish Flat Stainless Steel -Japan Finish flat stainless steel imports registered at 0.01 MnT in May'19 fell by 50% compare to 0.02 MnT in Apr'19 as well as in May'18.

Ferro Alloys -Japan Ferro Alloy imports registered at 0.13 MnT in May'19 against 0.32 MnT in Apr'19, down by 59.4%.

Also on yearly basis import declined by 45.83% as against 0.24 MnT in May'18.