In April this year, Japanese galvanized sheet output increased by 1.9 percent compared to April 2012 and was down 10 percent month on month, amounting to 941,866 mt, according to data from the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF).
Japan's galvanized sheet shipments amounted to 977,216 metric tons in April, decreasing by 6.6 percent on month-on-month basis and up by 5.9 percent compared to April in the previous year. 66 percent of the country's galvanized sheet shipments in April were made to the domestic market, while the remaining 34 percent were made to the export markets.
Meanwhile, in April Japan's galvanized sheet inventories decreased by 3.5 percent month on month to 984,263 metric tons, and were down 6.5 percent year on year. 65 percent of inventories were held by steel manufacturers, while 35 percent were held by steel traders.
The average domestic price for galvanized sheet in Japan in April was JPY 92,000/mt (approx. $961/mt), stable compared to the previous month and down JPY 8,000/mt (approx. $84/mt) year on year.