In February this year, Japan's galvanized sheet shipments amounted to 1 million metric tons, increasing by 10 percent on month-on-month basis and were up by five percent compared to February in the previous year, according to data from the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF). 69 percent of the country's galvanized sheet shipments in February were made to the domestic market, while the remaining 31 percent were made to the export markets.
Meanwhile, in February this year Japan's galvanized sheet inventories decreased by four percent from the previous month, to 1 million metric tons, and were up five percent year on year. 62 percent of inventories were held by steel manufacturers, while 38 percent were held by steel traders.
The average domestic price for galvanized sheet in Japan in February was JPY 101,000/mt (approx. $1,250/mt), falling JPY 2,000/mt (approx. $24.75/mt) compared to the previous month and down JPY 1,000/mt (approx. $12.4/mt) year on year from JPY 102,000/mt (approx. $1,262/mt).
In the month in question, Japan's galvanized sheet output totaled 966,130 metric tons, decreasing by three percent from the previous month and remaining stable year on year.