In March this year, Japan's hot rolled plate and sheet shipments increased by 23 percent on month-on-month basis and were down by 3 percent on year-on-year basis, amounting to 1.1 million metric tons. 68 percent of shipments were made to the domestic market, while the remaining 32 percent were made to the export markets, according to the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF) data.
Meanwhile, in March, Japan's hot rolled strip shipments amounted to 1.5 million mt, increasing 17 percent compared to February and up nine percent year on year. 30 percent of shipments were made to the domestic market, while the remaining 70 percent were made to the export markets.
In the first quarter of the year, Japan's hot rolled plate and sheet shipments decreased by eight percent to 2.9 million mt, while the country's hot rolled strip shipments amounted to 3.9 million mt, increasing by one percent, both compared to the first quarter of the previous year.
The average domestic price for HR plate and sheet in Japan in March this year was JPY 83,000/mt (approx. $1,040/mt), remaining unchanged compared to the previous month and down by JPY 5,000/mt (approx. $62.6/mt) year on year. In March, the average domestic price for HR strip in Japan was JPY 66,000/mt (approx. $827/mt), remaining unchanged compared to the previous month and down by JPY 8,000/mt (approx. $100.25/mt) year on year.
In March, Japan's HR plate and sheet output totaled 1.07 million metric tons, increasing by 16 percent month on month and down one percent compared to February 2011, while its HR strip output amounted to 1.1 million mt, up 23 percent compared to February and 15 percent year on year. In the first quarter of the year, Japan's HR plate and sheet output decreased by seven percent to 2.9 million mt, while the countrys HR strip output amounted to 3.8 million mt, remaining stable, both compared to the first quarter of the previous year.