In November 2011, Japan's galvanized sheet shipments decreased by 13 percent on both month-on-month and year-on-year basis, amounting to 948,279 metric tons. 71 percent of shipments were made to the domestic market, while the remaining 29 percent were made to the export markets, according to the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF) data.
Meanwhile, in November, Japan's galvanized sheet inventories increased by four percent over the previous month, rising to 1.1 million metric tons, and were up 10 percent year on year. 63 percent of inventories were held by steel manufacturers, while 37 percent were held by steel traders.
The average domestic price for galvanized sheet in Japan in November 2011 was JPY 103,000/mt (approx. $1,338/mt), remaining unchanged compared to the previous month and up one percent year on year from JPY 102,000/mt.
In the month in question, Japan's galvanized sheet output totaled 991,028 metric tons, decreasing by four percent from the previous month and down three percent year on year.