In January this year, Japan's cold rolled sheet and strip shipments decreased by five percent month on month and were down by 21 percent on year-on-year basis, according to the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF) data. The country's CR sheet and strip shipments amounted to 497,923 metric tons in January, while 58 percent of shipments were made to the domestic market, and the remaining 42 percent were made to the export markets.
Meanwhile, in January, Japan's CR sheet and strip inventories increased by six percent over the previous month, rising to 702,467 metric tons, and were down three percent year on year. 70 percent of inventories were held by steel manufacturers, while 30 percent were held by steel traders.
The average domestic price for CR sheet and strip in Japan in January was JPY 86,000/mt ($1,065/mt), remaining unchanged both from the previous month and year on year.
In the month in question, Japan's CR sheet and strip output totaled 539,828 metric tons, increasing by 14 percent over December 2011 and down 21 percent year on year.