In February this year, Japan's hot rolled plate and sheet shipments decreased by two percent on month-on-month basis and by seven percent on year-on-year basis, amounting to 887,978 metric tons. 74 percent of shipments were made to the domestic market, while the remaining 26 percent were made to the export markets, according to the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF) data.
Meanwhile, in February, Japan's hot rolled strip shipments amounted to 1.28 million mt, increasing 13 percent compared to January, up five percent year on year. 33 percent of shipments were made to the domestic market, while the remaining 67 percent were made to the export markets.
The average domestic price for HR plate and sheet in Japan in February this year was JPY 83,000/mt (approx. $1,025/mt), falling by JPY 2,000/mt (approx. $24.7/mt) both compared to the previous month and year on year.
In February, Japan's HR plate and sheet output totaled 926,428 metric tons, decreasing by two percent month on month and down eight percent compared to February 2011, while its HR strip output amounted to 1.17 million mt, down one percent compared to January and down four percent year on year.