In December 2009, Japanese hot rolled strip output reached its highest level since September 2008, following a month-on-month increase of over six percent.
According to the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF) data, in December 2009 Japan's hot rolled strip output totaled 1.3 million metric tons, increasing by 6.09 percent over November and climbing by 132.06 percent year on year.
Meanwhile, total Japanese shipments of HR strip in December 2009 amounted to 1.32 million metric tons, up 14.03 percent month on month and up 114.87 percent over December 2008. During the month in question, 29.75 percent of shipments were made to the domestic market, while the remaining 70.25 percent were made to the export markets.
In December, Japan's HR strip inventories decreased by 2.07 percent over the previous month, reaching 1.5 million metric tons, and were down 11.76 percent year on year. 83.91 percent of inventories were held by steel manufacturers, while 16.09 percent were held by steel traders.
The average domestic price for HR strip in Japan in December was JPY 64,000/mt ($714/mt), decreasing by 1.54 percent compared to November, and down 31.91 percent year on year.
On the other hand, Japanese HR strip production reached pre-crisis levels in July. In 2009, Japan's total HR strip output amounted to 11.23 million metric tons, decreasing by 44.63 percent, while its shipments of the products in question amounted to 11.43 million metric tons, down 16.99 percent, both compared to 2008.
