In January this year, Japan's galvanized sheet shipments amounted to 917,832 metric tons, decreasing by six percent on month-on-month basis and by 13 percent compared to January in the previous year, according to the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF) data. 71 percent of the country's galvanized sheet shipments in January were made to the domestic market, while the remaining 29 percent were made to the export markets.
Meanwhile, in January this year, Japan's galvanized sheet inventories increased by seven percent from the previous month, rising to 1.1 million metric tons, and were up nine percent year on year. 62 percent of inventories were held by steel manufacturers, while 38 percent were held by steel traders.
The average domestic price for galvanized sheet in Japan in January was JPY 103,000/mt (approx. $1,260/mt), remaining unchanged compared to the previous month and up one percent year on year from JPY 102,000/mt.
In the month in question, Japan's galvanized sheet output totaled 991,267 metric tons, increasing by eight percent over the previous month and down six percent year on year.