Japanese CR sheet output decreases for the first time in November

Thursday, 07 January 2010 12:30:20 (GMT+2)

In November 2009, Japanese CR sheet output decreased on month-on-month basis for the first time since April 2009. In October 2009, the country's output of the product in question had reached a 15-month high.

According to the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF) data, in November 2009 Japan's cold rolled sheet and strip output totaled 585,000 metric tons, declining by 5.49 percent over October, and up 20.19 percent year on year.

Meanwhile, total Japanese shipments of CR sheet and strip in November 2009 amounted to 584,000 metric tons, down 2.36 percent month on month and up 18.95 percent over November 2008. During the month in question, 53.77 percent of the shipments were made to the domestic market, while the remaining 46.23 percent were made to the export markets.

In November, Japan's CR sheet and strip inventories slightly increased by 0.21 percent over the previous month, reaching 613,000 metric tons, but were down 10.92 percent year on year. 71.13 percent of inventories were held by steel manufacturers, while 28.87 percent were held by steel traders.

The average domestic price for CR sheet and strip in Japan in November was JPY 77,000/mt ($830/mt), remaining unchanged compared to October, but down 31.25 percent year on year.

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