In September this year, Japan's hot rolled plate and sheet shipments increased by two percent on month-on-month basis and were down by eight percent on year-on-year basis, amounting to 914,211 metric tons. 71 percent of shipments were made to the domestic market, while the remaining 29 percent were made to the export markets, according to the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF) data.
In September, Japan's hot rolled strip shipments amounted to 1.3 million mt, decreasing one percent compared to August 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.
In the third quarter of this year, Japan's hot rolled plate and sheet shipments decreased by two percent compared to the same quarter of the previous year, amounting to 2.8 million mt, while in the period in question the country's hot rolled strip shipments amounted to 4 million mt, up 10 percent year on year.
Meanwhile, the average domestic price for HR plate and sheet in Japan in September this year was JPY 78,000/mt (approx. $954/mt), remaining unchanged compared to the previous month and down by JPY 9,000/mt (approx. $110/mt) year on year. The average domestic price for HR strip in the month in question was JPY 65,000/mt (approx. $795/mt), stable compared to the previous month and down by JPY 6,000/mt (approx. $73.4/mt) year on year.