The slow and steady rising trend in Japan's steel pipe and tube production, which started in June 2009, continued in November with a month-on-month increase of 3.03 percent. Meanwhile, in the month in question, average domestic pipe prices have seen a decline for the first time in five months, after remaining at the same level since June 2009.
According to the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF) data, in November 2009 Japan's steel pipe and tube output totaled 342,870 metric tons, increasing by 3.03 percent over October, but down 20.71 percent year on year.
Meanwhile, total Japanese shipments of steel pipes and tubes in November 2009 amounted to 306,400 metric tons, falling by 9.03 percent month on month, and down 25.12 percent over November 2008. During the month in question, 86.97 percent of shipments were made to the domestic market, while the remaining 13.03 percent were made to the export markets.
In November, Japan's steel pipe and tube inventories rose 8.82 percent over the previous month, reaching 438,800 metric tons, and were down 25.13 percent year on year. 80.48 percent of inventories were held by steel manufacturers, while 19.52 percent were held by steel traders.
The average domestic price for galvanized sheet in Japan in November was Yen 133,000/mt ($1,466/mt), decreasing by Yen 5,000/mt or 3.62 percent compared to October, and down 10.14 percent or Yen 15,000/mt compared to November 2008.
