In July this year, Japan's cold rolled sheet and strip shipments increased by five percent month on month and were down by six 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 576,759 metric tons in July, while 52 percent of shipments were made to the domestic market, and the remaining 48 percent were made to the export markets.
Meanwhile, in July, Japan's CR sheet and strip inventories decreased by five percent from the previous month, to 639,349 metric tons, down 13 percent year on year. 71 percent of inventories were held by steel manufacturers, while 29 percent were held by steel traders.
The average domestic price for CR sheet and strip in Japan in July was JPY 82,000/mt ($1,047/mt), stable compared to the previous month and down JPY 5,000/mt ($63.8/mt) year on year.
In the month in question, Japan's CR sheet and strip output totaled 545,386 metric tons, decreasing by three percent from June and down five percent year on year.