In November 2011, Japan's cold rolled sheet and strip shipments decreased by 15 percent month on month and by 19 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 519,747 metric tons in November, while 55 percent of shipments were made to the domestic market, and the remaining 45 percent were made to the export markets.
Meanwhile, in November, Japan's CR sheet and strip inventories decreased by four percent from the previous month, falling to 710,684 metric tons, and were up five percent year on year. 69 percent of inventories were held by steel manufacturers, while 31 percent were held by steel traders.
The average domestic price for CR sheet and strip in Japan in November was JPY 86,000/mt ($1,115/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 486,626 metric tons, decreasing by 20 percent from October 2011 and down 18 percent year on year.