In August this year, Japan's hot rolled plate and sheet shipments decreased by ten percent on month-on-month basis and were down by four percent on year-on-year basis, amounting to 898,829 metric tons. 68 percent of shipments were made to the domestic market, while the remaining 42 percent were made to the export markets, according to the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF) data.
In August, Japan's hot rolled strip shipments amounted to 1.32 million mt, decreasing three percent compared to July and up 10 percent year on year. 28 percent of shipments were made to the domestic market, while the remaining 72 percent were made to the export markets.
Meanwhile, the average domestic price for HR plate and sheet in Japan in August this year was JPY 78,000/mt (approx. $977/mt), falling JPY 2,000/mt (approx. $25/mt) compared to the previous month and down by JPY 9,000/mt (approx. $113/mt) year on year. The average domestic price for HR strip in the month in question was JPY 65,000/mt (approx. $814/mt), remaining unchanged compared to the previous month and down by JPY 8,000/mt (approx. $100.2/mt) year on year.