In July this year, Japan's galvanized sheet shipments amounted to 1.07 million metric tons, increasing by five percent on month-on-month basis and up by two percent compared to July in the previous year, according to data from the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF). 65 percent of the country's galvanized sheet shipments in July were made to the domestic market, while the remaining 35 percent were made to the export markets.
Meanwhile, in July this year Japan's galvanized sheet inventories decreased by three percent month on month to 1 million metric tons, and were down seven 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 July was JPY 98,000/mt (approx. $1,255/mt), remaining stable compared to the previous month and down JPY 5,000/mt (approx. $64/mt) year on year.
In the month in question, Japan's galvanized sheet output totaled 1.04 million metric tons, increasing by four percent from the previous month and down one percent on year-on-year basis.