Japanese Ferrous Scrap Exports Stable in Nov'19

Japan, world’s third-largest crude steel producer observed stability in its ferrous scrap exports for another month in Nov'19. The country exported 0.65 MnT of scrap in Nov’19, as against the similar quantity exported in Oct’19. However, on a yearly basis, scrap exports have increased by 33% Y-o-Y from 0.49 MnT reported during the same period a year ago, in Oct’18.

South Korea remained the largest importer of ferrous scrap with a share of 42% in total scrap exported by Japan, as it imported 0.27 MnT in Nov’19, down by 26% as compared to 0.34 MnT reported in Oct’19. Followed by Vietnam with a 29% share, as it imported 0.20 MnT scrap in Nov’19, down by 5% as against 0.20 MnT in Oct’19.

Japanese exports of semi-finished and finish flat steel observed a slight decrease on a monthly basis in Nov’19. Whereas finished long export inched-up during the month, according to the recent data released by the customs department.

Semi Finished: Japan’s semi-finished export stay firm after a sharp decrease in Oct’19. The country has exported 0.28 MnT of semi-finished in Nov’19. On a yearly basis too, exports have decreased by 13% Y-o-Y from 0.32 MnT in Nov’18. Taiwan remained the largest importer with a 43% share in total semi-finished exported by Japan, as it imported 0.12 MnT in Nov’19. Another major importer was South Korea which imported 0.07 MnT in Nov’19.

Finish Flat: Japan's finish flat exports witnessed a decline of 6% M-o-M to 2 MnT in Nov'19 as compared to 2.13 MnT in the previous month. On a yearly premise, the same was down by 5% in Nov'19 in comparison with 2.11 MnT in Nov'18. Competitive offers from India and Russia kept the buyers in Southeast Asian countries enticed, leading to a decline in the nation's finish flat exports in Nov'19. On a country-wise comparison, Japan's finish flat export to South Korea was at 0.29 (down 6%), Vietnam stood at 0.13 MnT (down 28% M-o-M), and Indonesia at 0.12 MnT (down 14%) in Nov'19. However, in Nov'19, the export volume to China at 0.35 MnT and Thailand at 0.3 MnT remain unchanged over Oct'19.

Finish Long: Finish long export from Japan remained stable at 0.14 MnT in Nov’19 after dropped by 18% M-o-M in Oct’19. On a yearly basis, finish long exports reduced by 30% Y-o-Y from 0.23 MnT exported during the same period a year ago. South Korea increased its import by 50% M-o-M to 0.06 MnT in Nov’19 with a 43% share in total finish long exported by Japan, as against 0.04 MnT imported in Oct’19. Followed by other major importers were Thailand, China & the USA which imported 0.02 MnT each in Nov’19.

Japan's crude steel output slightly decrease in Nov’19 by 5% M-o-M and stood at 7.74 MnT as compared to 8.16 MnT in Oct’19. On a yearly basis too, output reduced by 11% Y-o-Y as against 8.66 MnT in Nov’18, according to World Steel Association (WSA).