In September this year, Japan's galvanized sheet shipments amounted to 998,069 metric tons, increasing by one percent on month-on-month basis and down by four percent compared to September in the previous year, according to data from the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF). 67 percent of the country's galvanized sheet shipments in September were made to the domestic market, while the remaining 33 percent were made to the export markets.
In the third quarter of the year, Japan's galvanized sheet shipments rose three percent compared to the previous quarter but were down one percent from the same quarter of 2011, amounting to 3.05 million metric tons.
Meanwhile, in September this year Japan's galvanized sheet inventories increased by three percent month on month to 1.1 million metric tons, and were down two percent year on year. 64 percent of inventories were held by steel manufacturers, while 36 percent were held by steel traders.
The average domestic price for galvanized sheet in Japan in September was JPY 98,000/mt (approx. $1,193/mt), remaining stable compared to the previous month and down JPY 5,000/mt (approx. $60.85/mt) year on year.
In the month in question, Japan's galvanized sheet output totaled 1.03 million metric tons, decreasing by one percent both from the previous month and on year-on-year basis.