Japanese Ferrous Scrap Exports Increase in Oct'19

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

According to the world steel association, Japan's crude steel output remained stable in Oct'19 and stood at 8.16 MnT as compared to 8.05 MnT in Sept'19, while on a yearly basis the production marked slight decreased by 5% Y-o-Y as against 8.56 MnT in Oct'18.

Ferrous Scrap: Japanese ferrous scrap exports witnessed an increase in Oct'19 and were recorded at 0.65 MnT, as against 0.61 MnT scrap exported in Sept'19, increasing by 7%. On a yearly basis too, scrap export has observed an increase by 14% Y-o-Y from 0.57 MnT reported during the same period a year ago, in Oct'18.

South Korea remained the largest importer of ferrous scrap with a share of 52% in total scrap exported by Japan, as it imported 0.34 MnT in Oct'19, up by 31% as compared to 0.26 MnT of export reported in Sept'19. Followed by Vietnam with a 31% share stood in second position as it imported 0.20 MnT scrap in Oct'19, down by 20% as against 0.25 MnT in Sept'19.

Semi Finish: Japan's semi finished export witnessed a sharp decrease on a monthly basis. The country has exported 0.28 MnT in Oct'19 as compared to 0.37 MnT exported in Sept'19, down by 24% M-o-M. On a yearly basis too, exports decreased by 13% Y-o-Y from 0.34 MnT in Oct'18.

Taiwan remained the largest importer of semi finished with a 43% share of total semi-finished exported by Japan, as it imported 0.12 MnT in Oct'19, decreasing by 20% as against 0.15 MnT imported in Sept'19. Another major importer was South Korea which imported 0.07 MnT of semi finished in Oct'19, down by 22% as against 0.09 MnT imported in Sept'19.

Finish Flat: For the October month, Japan's flat steel exports declined by 3% M-o-M amid low demand and disruptions in supply caused by typhoons and heavy rains. Further, increased competition in the South-east Asian market with competitive offers from India and Russia kept the demand for Japanese origin flat steel products low in the region.

China remained the largest importer of finish flat steel with 16% share of total flat steel exported by Japan, as it imported 0.35 MnT of finished flat as against 0.36 MnT exported in Sept'19.

Finish Long: Japan's finish long exports were observed decrease by 18% M-o-M to 0.14 MnT in Oct'19 as against 0.17 MnT exported in Sept'19. Similarly, on a yearly basis too, the finish long export decreased by 39% Y-o-Y from 0.23 MnT exported during the same period a year ago.

South Korea remained the largest importer of finish long as it imported 0.04 MnT in Oct'19 with a 28% share of total finish long exported by Japan, as against 0.05 MnT imported in Sept'19.

Quantity in MT
Source: SteelMint Stats & Customs Data