In May this year, Japan's galvanized sheet shipments amounted to 1.03 million metric tons, increasing by 11 percent on month-on-month basis and up by 20 percent compared to May in the previous year, according to data from the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF). 64 percent of the country's galvanized sheet shipments in May were made to the domestic market, while the remaining 36 percent were made to the export markets.
Meanwhile, in May this year Japan's galvanized sheet inventories remained stable month on month at 1.05 million metric tons, and were down seven percent year on year. 61 percent of inventories were held by steel manufacturers, while 39 percent were held by steel traders.
The average domestic price for galvanized sheet in Japan in May was JPY 98,000/mt (approx. $1,234/mt), falling JPY 2,000/mt (approx. $25.2/mt) compared to the previous month and down JPY 5,000/mt (approx. $63/mt) year on year.
In the month in question, Japan's galvanized sheet output totaled 1.02 million metric tons, increasing by 11 percent from the previous month and up 14 percent year on year.